TUCSON, Arizona — Donald Trump labeled Kamala Harris a “communist,” promised to eliminate taxes on overtime wages, and reiterated unsubstantiated claims about migrant crime during a lengthy address in Tucson.

The former president, representing the Republican Party, hosted his first campaign rally following a debate, focusing on his recent discussions with Harris and presenting new ideas aimed at addressing economic frustrations among voters.

“It’s time for hardworking people to finally get a break, and that’s what we’re doing,” Trump stated. “If you’re working overtime, beyond 40 hours a week your extra hours will be tax-free.”

This event at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall was Trump’s second trip to key battleground Arizona in a month, coinciding with a rival political event held by second gentleman Doug Emhoff nearby.

Trump was still reflecting on Tuesday’s debate, especially after facing backlash from his own party for not performing strongly against the Democratic vice president.

The former president has been criticized for making false statements about migrants allegedly stealing and consuming pets in Ohio, but he reaffirmed these claims during his speech in Tucson.

“Twenty-thousand illegal Haitian immigrants have descended upon a town with a population of 58,000, wreaking havoc on their lives. Once a lovely community, now it’s ah —,” Trump said. “Residents are saying that migrants are making off with the town’s geese. They’re stealing the geese, which are usually found in the park. And they are even taking pets.”

The Arizona Republican Party joined the fray this week by displaying a controversial billboard in Phoenix that read, “Eat Less Kittens. Vote Republican!” which has been denounced as racist.

Furthermore, Trump attempted to soften his stance on abortion, disputing Harris’s assertion during the debate that Republicans aim to regulate pregnancies. He expressed frustration that moderators did not counter Harris when she linked him to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 agenda, which he claimed he hasn’t reviewed and distanced himself from.

“I don’t want to do that,” Trump asserted. “I won’t be following women around to the hospital.”

Many believe that the recent debate may be the last time Trump and Harris share a stage prior to Election Day. The Harris campaign is pushing for a second debate, but Trump declined the invitation during his Tucson speech.

“There will be no third debate,” Trump announced, receiving applause. “It’s too late for that. Voting has already started.”

“I was hoping he would perform better, but he had three people attacking him,” stated Anne Moore from Tucson.

Although Trump claimed the focus of his Tucson appearance was on housing and the economy, he spent nearly an hour discussing immigration and the debate before finally addressing fiscal matters.

When he did pivot to the economy, Trump attributed the country’s economic issues to the Biden administration’s border policies, insisting that “millions of criminals and disturbed individuals are entering the USA” and declared he would “ban all mortgages for illegal immigrants.”

Trump vowed to “rapidly lower inflation by cutting energy prices.” He promised to reduce mortgage rates to 2% and slash energy costs in Arizona by half during the first year of his potential second term.

Recent statistics from Customs and Border Protection indicate a notable decrease in the number of migrants encountered illegally crossing the southern border in recent months. July witnessed the fewest such encounters since February 2021.

Despite this, Trump contended that data collected by CBP under the Biden administration does not factor in migrants entering through air travel. He accused Harris of facilitating the transportation of migrants.

This accusation references the CHNV humanitarian parole program, which the Biden administration recently halted, allowing federal screening of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela without needing to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border.

“They are flown in by the tens of thousands,” Trump commented. “This means we now have 50 border states.”

Trump reiterated his assertion that the nation is under siege, being dominated and occupied by a “foreign element.” He listed several debunked and misleading incidents of migrant crime that have circulated online.

“I am furious about Venezuelan gangs overtaking Aurora, Colorado,” he remarked. “And illegal Haitian migrants ruining a beautiful town — Springfield, Ohio. I’m outraged about young American girls being assaulted and killed by ruthless, criminal aliens.”

Trump asserted, without providing evidence, that the CBP One app, the sole sure way for migrants to request asylum at Southwest border entry points, is exploited by Mexican cartels to smuggle people into the U.S.

He mentioned to his audience that he had managed to control the border during his presidency but claimed President Joe Biden had undone those efforts, stating the situation is now “a tenth of what it used to be.” While in office, Trump’s administration introduced various initiatives that resulted in reduced border crossings, although the most significant declines occurred due to global pandemic restrictions.

Trump pledged to seal the border and fulfill his commitment to mass deportations of undocumented individuals, receiving a standing ovation from supporters who chanted “USA!”

His campaign promoted the rally in Tucson as a strategy to gain support from Latino voters in Arizona, who represent about a quarter of the state’s electorate. Trump made strides with Latino male voters in 2020 and aims to enhance those gains while diminishing Democratic support among Latinos.

Danny de la Torre from San Manuel, who voted for Biden in the previous election, plans to support Trump this time. Wearing a “Latinos for Trump” shirt, he expressed disappointment with Biden’s management of the economy, immigration, and abortion issues.

“I have gradually come to disagree with the Democrats based on what they advocate and impose on the citizens of this country,” he stated.

However, Trump’s immigration rhetoric has alienated some Latino Republican supporters, including Olivia Troye, who served as an advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence and is now involved in the Republicans for Harris initiative in Arizona.

“There was a time when the party cared about immigrants and welcomed me as a Latina. It is disheartening to see its course shift toward promoting hate and disliking immigrants,” she shared with The Arizona Republic.

Troye, who identifies as Mexican-American and grew up in El Paso, attributed the violent rhetoric to the mass shooting in her hometown in 2019. She accused Trump of exacerbating division and noted the backlash she has faced from his supporters since her speech at the Democratic National Convention.

“They see me as a traitor,” Troye remarked. “I receive many messages suggesting that, like Mike Pence and I, should be executed.”

The race for the presidency is heating up in Arizona, especially since Harris became the leading candidate for the Democrats. Polls indicate that presidential candidates and their aides are visiting the state nearly every week.

Last month, both Trump and Harris held significant rallies at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, and Trump even visited the Arizona-Mexico border in Cochise County. Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, campaigned in Phoenix prior to the debate. Recently, Trump’s running mate JD Vance was also in the state, attending events throughout early August.

The last time Trump campaigned in Tucson in 2016, the rally resulted in violence, with a protester being assaulted while being removed. He returned in 2020 for another campaign rally.

Tucson has historically leaned Democratic, being home to many progressive leaders in Arizona. On the eve of Trump’s event, the Tucson-born singer Linda Ronstadt publicly criticized the former president and endorsed Harris.

Before Trump spoke, Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake described Tucson in a negative light. She criticized the city’s leadership, likely referring to the Democratic mayor. Supporters booed when she mentioned her opponent U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, Biden, and Harris.

“Tucson is fed up with being neglected. The city is tired of crime and the homeless issue. I feel that this city has immense potential for success, evident every time I visit. Sadly, it also showcases the consequences of poor leadership,” Lake expressed.