Former President Trump on Sunday praised Republican Kari Lake for her debate performance against U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) while campaigning in the Grand Canyon State.
“You destroyed that poor man. You know, they have expressions. If it was a fight they would have stopped, but that was destruction,” Trump said in Prescott, Arizona. He mentioned Gallego at an election event in the Valley.
“We've got to make it into a movie or something. We've got to make it into a movie or something. People who see it are never going to vote — this guy is a complete lightweight,” he later added. “And this woman has given up a lot. She's been very successful in everything she's done. We have to let her in.”
Lake and Gallego faced off last week in the only debate for the Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. Both candidates used the debate to attack, with Lake trying to link Gallego to President Biden and Vice President Harris, while Gallego criticized Lake over past election results and comments on abortion.
Lake joined President Trump on stage during his remarks.
“I often said after President Trump's first term that we had one of the greatest presidents in American history. And now I say this president is the greatest president in American history.” she said, and the crowd cheered. “But I think it goes further. I think we are, we're in the midst of one of the greatest leaders in human history, and his name is Donald J. Trump. is.”
Still, polls show Gallego leading Lake in the race. According to a tally of Arizona polls compiled by Decision Desk Headquarters, Mr. Gallego has an approval rating of about 50% and an approval rating of 42%, ahead of Mr. Lake.
In an interview with NBC News that aired last week, Lake suggested voters shouldn't trust polls.
“This poll is a lot like what we saw in 2016, a poll aimed at getting voters to do something. I know what internal voting looks like. . It's amazing,” Lake told the network. “I've talked to door knockers who are knocking on pro-independence groups and door knockers who are knocking on Republican groups. The response people are getting on the doorstep is overwhelming.”
The Hill has reached out to Gallego's camp for comment.
