By Michael D. Shear
Earlier this week, President-elect Donald Trump gave an extensive speech in which he referred to it as a “small preview of the common-sense revolution” his administration will usher in, promising to close the nation’s borders, abolish federal regulations, cut taxes, take legal action against his opponents, “stop woke” agendas, and “end the transgender lunacy.”
During a 90-minute address at a conservative gathering in Phoenix, Trump provided an optimistic reflection on his election victory, labeling his liberal opponents as “befuddled” and asserting that a new “golden age in America” was underway.
“We will end the occupation, and January 20 will genuinely be liberation day in America,” Trump proclaimed to thousands at AmericaFest, a four-day event organized by the conservative organization Turning Point USA.
His remarks were a familiar blend of misleading claims, self-congratulations, aggressive criticism of his adversaries, and assurances that his return to authority would positively transform the nation.
As is customary, Trump focused extensively on immigration and border issues. He reiterated his unfounded assertion that other nations were discharging their “insane asylums” and prisons into the U.S. and committed to cleansing the country of those who had entered unlawfully.
“On my first day, I will enact a groundbreaking series of executive orders to secure our border,” he announced to thunderous applause from the crowd. “On that same day, we will launch the largest deportation effort in American history.”
Consistent with many of Trump’s addresses, it was sparse on specifics. He didn’t indicate who would be subject to deportation or the timeline. However, he pledged to label Mexican drug cartels as terrorist entities and asserted that every cartel “operating on American soil will be dismantled, deported and eradicated.”
The speech marked a return to themes from the past for Trump, who had delivered a similar address in Phoenix in July 2015 at the outset of his presidential campaign. He revisited that location the following year for a significant immigration-themed address after unexpectedly visiting Mexico as the Republican presidential nominee.
Now, though, some of his subjects have shifted.
The president-elect lashed out at transgender individuals, eliciting enthusiastic approval from the audience.
Trump declared that with the stroke of his pen, “we are going to end the transgender lunacy” and the “mutilation of children,” seemingly alluding to gender-affirming surgeries.
“We will prevent men from participating in women’s sports,” he affirmed. He added that “the policy of the United States will be that there are only two genders: male and female.”
He also took aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within public entities and private firms. He vowed to eliminate such initiatives because “we are proponents of the merit system” in America.
“We’re going to put an end to woke,” he asserted, referring to these initiatives disparagingly.
That remark garnered the most significant applause of the morning from the conservative crowd, many of whom were dressed in Make America Great Again hats and other Trump-themed merchandise.
The president-elect also committed to preventing the military from renaming bases or ships that currently bear the names of Confederate leaders, as has taken place in recent years.
“That will not take place under my watch,” Trump stated.
He also raised concerns regarding the Panama Canal, criticizing the decision made in the 1970s for the U.S. to return the canal to Panamanian authority after a period of shared control. He accused Panama of imposing “ridiculous” and “grossly unfair” fees on U.S. shippers and pledged that these would cease under his administration.
“This total exploitation of our nation will be immediately halted,” he declared. “It’s going to stop.” He warned that if it didn’t, “we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States.”
He did not elaborate on how that would be achieved, considering the canal was transferred back to Panama through a treaty signed by both countries. However, his comments emerged just hours after he expressed a similar grievance on social media late Saturday night.
Trump also praised Elon Musk, the billionaire selected to head a new Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk recently showcased his political influence by derailing a bipartisan spending agreement, making over 150 posts critical of the deal on X, his social media platform.
This prompted some, including at least one Congressional member, to jokingly refer to Musk as “President Musk,” but on Sunday, Trump laughed off the title.
“No, that’s not going to happen,” he remarked, adding that it’s beneficial to have intelligent individuals surrounding him. “But no, he’s not going to be president; I assure you. I’m secure. You know why? He can’t be. He wasn’t born in this country.”
The president-elect’s address wasn’t his initial one to Turning Point, an organization led by Charlie Kirk, a long-time activist and Trump ally. In 2019, he provided an extensive speech to the group in West Palm Beach, Florida, just days after being impeached by Congress for the first time.
