Trump Defends Gifted Air Force One, Rallies GOP Base on Gun Rights
During a Western campaign swing, the former president also highlighted Republican candidates' stances on Second Amendment issues.
President Donald Trump used a Western campaign swing this week to advocate for Republican support of gun rights and to defend his acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One. Trump warned that the Second Amendment would be "under siege" if Democrats win in the upcoming midterm elections.
During an evening rally in Montana, Trump emphasized themes intended to energize the Republican base ahead of the November elections. Earlier in the day, at a stop in Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump discussed the aircraft, describing it as a gift from the Qatari royal family. "When you’re given gifts, you take ‘em, right?" Trump told the crowd. "When they give you a 747, you say two words: ‘Thank you.’"
The former president's remarks came during the second day of a Western tour aimed at bolstering the Republican Party before the Nov. 3 elections, which will determine control of Congress. His tour included a stop in Alaska on Tuesday, where he announced Taiwan would purchase gas from a proposed project there and pardoned two Alaskans convicted of Clean Air Act violations. In Montana, Trump announced a new military testing range.
Trump's visit to Montana's 1st Congressional District was intended to support House candidate Aaron Flint. Trump characterized Flint's Democratic opponent, Sam Forstag, as "extreme," asserting that Democrats "will take your guns away if we don’t keep it going." He noted that Republican candidates Kurt Alme and Aaron Flint have received high ratings from the National Rifle Association, while Democratic Senate candidate Alani Bankhead has an F rating and Forstag received a question mark from the NRA for not completing a form.
In Arizona, Trump spoke at a rally where he described learning that Qatar possessed "the best of all the 747s." He recounted calling Qatar's emir and being offered the aircraft as a gift. The rally took place in Mohave County, Arizona, an area with higher poverty and unemployment rates than both the state and the nation.
Trump also discussed his renovation projects in Washington, including a ballroom at the White House and a helipad on the South Lawn, along with a planned triumphal arch. He criticized the media for focusing on "affordability" concerns rather than positive economic news.
The former president visited Arizona to rally support for Rep. Andy Biggs, who is seeking to defeat Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. Republicans have recently shifted strategy in some battleground House races, while Democrats have increased fundraising for candidates who were previously considered long shots. This shift reflects a more defensive posture for Republicans and a more aggressive approach from Democrats seeking to capitalize on Trump's approval ratings.
Trump has maintained a busy schedule of rallies as he works to counter expected Republican losses and historical trends where the president's party typically loses seats in midterm elections. While Trump won Arizona in 2016 and 2024, he lost the state in 2020. Montana's 1st District is considered less Republican than the state overall, which Trump carried by double digits in his presidential campaigns.
His recent stops have included traditionally Republican areas like Alabama, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. Arizona is notable as the only swing state among his recent campaign destinations, though the rally was held in a county Trump won decisively in 2024. Biggs, a former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, has been a supporter of Trump and was involved in efforts to block the certification of the 2020 election results. He faces Hobbs, who narrowly won the governorship four years prior. Although Arizona has a Republican advantage in registered voters, Democrats have won top state offices in recent elections.
Trump asserted that Biggs "will always stand with law enforcement" and accused Hobbs of enabling cartels at the U.S.-Mexico border. Hobbs has stated she has reinforced border security by deploying National Guard troops and increasing funding for local law enforcement.