As President Donald Trump prepared to speak at a Turning Point USA event, “Build the Red Wall,” at Dream City Church in Phoenix, protesters lined the surrounding streets, confronting Turning Point and Maga supporters as they arrived.
As the main event drew closer, protesters outnumbered those entering the venue.
Reportedly, the MAGA movement is trickling down—quickly—and some reports say a lot of unrest with the once loyal MAGA followers is waning over the war in Iran, soaring fuel prices, insulting the Pope and posting an AI image of himself as Jesus Christ.
Trump has lost numerous lawsuits he has filed against news organizations and his longtime ally and autocratic leader in Hungary was just soundly defeated.
As supporters trickled in to the Valley church to hear Trump—protesters called them out as they arrived.
Vendors were also present, along with visible security and medical personnel surrounding the area.
The atmosphere was loud and tense, with megaphones and even a small band adding to the noise. Some protesters shouted slogans, while others questioned whether that approach was effective.
One protester described some of the language being used as “unnecessary vulgarity,” saying it would not change minds.
Northeast Valley News spoke with several people including both Turning Point attendees and protesters and the topic of the ongoing war in Iran was on the minds of many with both sides saying national issues were shaping conversations on both sides.
A group of women dressed in costumes inspired by The Handmaid’s Tale stood along the sidewalk.
“Everything is worse. People are losing their rights,” said Elizabeth Willis of Tucson.
She said the costumes were meant to represent what she believes are growing threats to women’s rights. “The Handmaid’s Tale is no longer a work of fiction—it’s happening right now.”
Others brought perspectives shaped by personal experience.
Chris Hill, a 20-year Army veteran and Arizona native, said he attended as part of a national organization called Common Defense.
“We swore an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Hill said, adding that the group advocates for what it sees as protecting constitutional rights and supporting fellow Americans.
Religion also influenced how some viewed the event being held at a church.
Gabriel Mueller, who identified as a Christian, said the location felt contradictory to his beliefs.
“Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors,” Mueller said. “Trump is the opposite of what Jesus taught us.”
While protesters voiced concerns, attendees shared their reasons for being there as well.
Jennifer Kapukoff said she brought her son Andrew to introduce him to politics and current events.
“I’m a big fan of the Trump administration,” she said. “I wanted to get him more interested in government and history.”
Andrew said he was excited to have the day off from school and curious to hear more about global issues. “I’m hoping to hear something about Iran,” he said.
The Phoenix event follows other recent Turning Point USA events that have also drawn protests.
According to The New York Times, protesters gathered outside a recent event featuring Vice President J.D. Vance, including anti-war messaging similar to what was seen in Phoenix.
As the event began, both supporters and protesters remained outside the church, continuing to voice their views as the crowd moved in and out of the area.
