On Friday, a group of supporters gathered at a large Arizona megachurch, originally set to host a Turning Point USA rally intended to boost Republican voter engagement ahead of the midterms.
Attendees expressed their concerns about President Trump, including points related to the war in Iran, high oil prices, and a controversial AI-generated image he shared, which depicted him as a Christ-like figure.
Cheryl Rosado, 44, found Trump’s meme “pretty disgusting,” though she also called it somewhat “funny” but missed the mark, while ultimately labeling him a “great” president.
“It’s really unpleasant, but I’m still praying for the president,” she remarked, considering him the best she’d ever witnessed.
Rosado felt Trump’s actions regarding Iran were justified and blamed local regulations for the surging oil prices.
The meme in question showed Trump surrounded by divine light, dressed in red and healing the sick, which faced backlash after his stance on the Iran conflict clashed with Pope Leo’s condemnation of violence.
The pope stated that God doesn’t bless those who bomb others, calling Trump’s threats against Iran “truly unacceptable.”
However, rally attendee Liz Harris, 55, expressed optimism regarding Trump’s plans for Iran and the oil crisis.
“I believe he’s playing 3D chess. He knows exactly what he’s doing,” said Harris, who is a real estate broker. “The blockade is a temporary measure. Nobody wants war, but I’m excited about having a strategy. I think oil prices will stabilize.”
Harris, a member of the Republican National Committee, showed up in a jacket featuring red, white, and blue sequins.
Some attendees were eager to hear from Erica, the widow of Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk.
Madison Lane, 23, a finance student from Pinetop, mentioned that Kirk’s murder on September 10, 2025, had galvanized support for the MAGA movement.
“It’s definitely raised awareness. It has brought more attention to the movement,” Lane reflected, noting her role leading the local Young Republicans chapter.
Rhonda Keith, 71, reminisced about being a big fan of Kirk prior to his death.
“He had a remarkable way of engaging with people without judgment,” she shared, mentioning that this was her first time attending a MAGA event.
Keith observed that the movement seemed to gain momentum following Kirk’s tragic assassination.
“It’s gotten pretty big,” she noted.
