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.
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."
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Got robbed. Again. @jasonkCNN & I were at city hall in San Francisco to do an interview for @CNN. We had security to watch our rental car + crew car. Thieves did this in under 4 seconds. Security stopped the jerks from stealing other bags. But seriously- this is ridiculous
Our hired security guard tried to grab the crooks (I’m glad he didn’t get hurt!) but he got this picture of the getaway car.
To the jerks who stole our stuff— I hope someone on this site sees your plate and you get caught
Thank you to @SFPD’s Ofcs Gala & Mac for responding and your kindness.
Maricopa County Sheriff (@Penzone4sheriff). “It’s important to have an adult in the room when others are acting like children” says the sheriff, as protesters continue their ‘vigil’ outside @MaricopaVote
Sheriff Penzone cites @WendyRogersAZ tweet as "giving him pause" that led to increase in security at @MaricopaVote. He then credits @charliekirk11 for tweeting out for protesters to stay away from the Elections Dept. Penzone supports any help to stop crowds so work can continue
Sheriff Penzone says there's a line item in his budget that can hit seven digits to handle these types of protests-- why he's asking people to consider the cost to their community #Arizona
Two envelopes that were sent to Kari Lake's campaign headquarters in Phoenix last Saturday did NOT contain powder or harmful substances, the @PhoenixPolice Department tell @CNN
Police responded on Saturday at 10:15 pm to reports of suspicious mail, police said. On Friday, the day before, a volunteer said they opened an envelope containing a "white powdery substance and a letter" that included vulgar language
The @KariLake volunteer threw the letter and the powder in the trash, which was disposed of by cleaning staff, police say
Full statement from @KariLake on campaign HQ threat:
“Yesterday, a member of the Kari Lake staff opened an envelope delivered to our campaign office that contained suspicious white powder.” (more)
“It was one of two envelopes that were confiscated by law enforcement and sent to professionals at Quantico for examination, and we are awaiting details. The staff member is currently under medical supervision.” (more)
“Just two days before Election Day, our campaign headquarters remains shut down. We look forward to law enforcement completing their investigation as quickly as possible. Rest assured, we are taking this security threat incredibly seriously…” (more)
.@RealMarkFinchem in his speech repeats debunked election lies. Crowd applauds and reacts at each lie. #election2022
Sen @TomCottonAR on the GOP bus tour. “I need reinforcements in the Senate. We need to elect @bgmasters”
Cotton hitting the economy and border, the closing message of the AZ Republican nominees.
Academia has its day w/@IamSandraOh in 'The Chair,' but don't miss Oh's authentic, hysterical & human portrayal as a single Korean-American working mom dealing w/culture & gender expectations & generational pull (and this show nails what the old gen says about dating a white guy)
"Are you talking about me?" asks @jayduplass to @IamSandraOh. White people-- we are always talking about you.
Korean parents never stop criticizing about your life choices. It's how they show love. #truth@IamSandraOh