OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
6:26 PM – Friday, April 17, 2026
President Donald Trump arrived in Phoenix on Friday afternoon and spoke briefly with reporters upon landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — before heading to a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event focused on energizing young voters and Republican support ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump landed aboard Air Force One shortly after 1:45 p.m. local time.
He engaged in a brief gaggle with the press on the tarmac, addressing ongoing international developments, particularly negotiations with Iran following recent tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. However, no major policy announcements were made during the airport gaggle, as it lasted only a few minutes.
In his remarks to reporters, Trump highlighted progress in talks with Iran. He stated that the U.S. and Iran are “closing in on a deal” to resolve the conflict, noting few remaining differences after Iran announced it would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic.
“Talks are going on. It’ll go on over the weekend,” Trump told reporters, indicating that the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait would remain in place until a final agreement is reached. He also added that Iran has signaled willingness to make concessions it was not prepared to offer months earlier.
Trump further described the discussions as positive and expressed optimism about reaching a resolution soon. He also briefly touched on the broader context of his visit, saying it was “a very good discussion” and “a big day,” though he did not go into detail on domestic policy during the brief airport exchange.
Trump then traveled by motorcade to Dream City Church in north Phoenix, where he delivered the keynote address at Turning Point USA’s “Build the Red Wall” event alongside TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk and Arizona Republican leaders, including Rep. Andy Biggs.
The gathering served as a powerful catalyst for the conservative youth movement, igniting a new generation of GOP voters to secure a red wave in the 2026 midterms. By mobilizing the youth vote, the GOP is poised not just to maintain its lead, but to “grow a decisive majority,” analysts say — cementing a conservative future in high-stakes arenas like Arizona and beyond.
Later, during his main speech, Trump continued to reference the Iran situation, telling the crowd that Iran had announced the Strait of Hormuz was “fully open and ready for business,” while reiterating that the U.S. blockade would stay in effect until negotiations conclude successfully. He also focused on domestic issues, including economic policies, tax cuts, and appeals to younger voters.
This marks Trump’s return to Arizona roughly six months after he spoke at a memorial service for Charlie Kirk, the late founder of TPUSA, who was assassinated in September 2025. The event is part of an early push by Trump and conservative groups to solidify support in the West ahead of the midterms.
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