Thread by @KyungLahCNN

Outside the Phoenix, AZ rally that Donald Trump will headline, attendees are yelling at us, “No masks.”
We are indeed wearing masks. This will be an hours-long indoor rally as the Delta virus has led to an increase in #COVID19 cases.

Here’s what it looks like inside. The front section is packed— the back and two upper levels are empty so far. I’ve seen 2 masks on attendees.

The rally has officially started, w/@annamajaCNN & me among a very small handful wearing masks in this indoor rally for Trump

Turning Point Action exec starts rally emphasizing that TPA workers are registering people to vote here. I've spoken to 1/2 doz in this crowd who say they don't believe the election process is sound & Trump won 2020. This is the same crowd the AZ GOP needs to vote in 2022.

1st GOP candidate for AZ Governor, @KimberlyYeeAZ, current state treasurer, teetering on election logic. “Everyone will be able to trust the results of the election,” she says, after talking about “fraud & Democratic shenanigans”

Next GOP candidate for AZ Governor, @realSteveGaynor, leaning in on the Big Lie. "This has to be fixed. This can’t happen again. There are a million republicans in our state who believe the election was rigged." (huge applause)

Biggest applause (+standing O) is for GOP candidate for Governor & former Phoenix TV anchor @KariLake. Huge applause when she says "mothers, don't put masks on children again. Get it if you want, but don't force the vaccine on us." Chants of 'Kari, Kari' on the vaccine call.

Last AZ candidate for Governor @MattSalmonAZ leaning in on raising doubts about the 2020 election, saying the "media wants to ignore it." Crowd here loves it.

.@kelliwardaz is promoting the so-called #azaudit in her prepared remarks, urging the crowd to send money in.
Reminder: this is dark money and we have no idea where this money is going or how it is being spent.

Candidate for US Senate Mick McGuire & challenger to @SenMarkKelly says Kelly needs to "go to space". McGuire doesn't quite go as far on the so-called audit as... (next)

Candidate for US Senate Jim Lamon who doesn't hesitate in spreading the Big Lie, telling the crowd, "There were serious problems with the 2020 election. I support the audit."
(@maricopacounty conducted 2 professional audits and no widespread election problems were found)

Candidate for US Senate @bgmasters talks about showing ID to vote (which is already the case in Arizona) but doesn't boldly say he supports the so-called audit.

Update: It is now packed in this indoor, 5000 person auditorium ahead of Donald Trump remarks at 3pMT/6pET.

Being completely drowned out by 'boos' is candidate for AZ Secretary of State @MichelleUgenti

“Lock her up” is back at this Trump rally— this time it’s in reference to @SecretaryHobbs, whose name sparks that chant just now (plus boos)

Charlie Kirk tells the crowd to "keep the audit going" and it's huge applause and a standing o. Kirk is now repeating the debunked early ballot theory the Cyber Ninjas reported (Logan didn't understand the process) at the AZ Senate hearing a couple of weeks ago.

"No more masks, no forced vaccine, no critical race theory." -- Charlie Kirk to a nearly 100% mask-free indoor crowd here to listen to Donald Trump, as the Delta variant pushed #COVID19 infections in Maricopa County this week into the double digits.

A little behind the scenes
cc: @JordanGuzzardo5

AZ Cong. @RepGosar endorses spread of election mis/disinformation: "We gotta make sure this audit goes through. The same thing is happening in GA, about to happen in PA. We’re the leaders. We’re in the hotseat in the United States and we enjoy it."