On Friday afternoon, thousands gathered in a line that extended for blocks outside the Desert Diamond Arena in 104-degree temperatures, all eager to attend a rally for former President Donald Trump.

Instead of entering the venue, over 100 people had to find refuge in the shade outside, where the Glendale Fire Department reported they were primarily treated for heat-related conditions. Among these, several individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for additional care, stated department spokesperson Timothy Pirtle.

A Trump campaign volunteer directed inquiries regarding the heat-related incidents to the event’s organizer, Turning Point USA. However, a spokesperson from Turning Point did not respond immediately for a comment.

The entry line at the Desert Diamond Arena moved at a sluggish pace, with some attendees sharing that they waited several hours to gain entry or opted to leave without going inside.

Among those who left was Terrence Feller, 62, who traveled from Casa Grande with his daughter. Upon seeing the extensive line, they decided to turn around after talking to an attendee who had arrived at 9 a.m. but only managed to enter the arena after 1 p.m.

“It looked like it was at least a mile long,” he remarked. “After witnessing the crowd, we turned around and went back to Casa Grande.”

This summer has seen heat-related hospitalizations become frequent at Arizona Trump rallies, with 11 individuals hospitalized during his last visit to the Valley in June.

Similar to the previous rally, free water was scarce on this occasion too. Attendees had the option to buy cold water from private vendors who also sold Trump merchandise, including hats and jewelry.

This situation contrasted sharply with Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent rally at the same venue.

During Harris’ rally, despite reaching event capacity, entry lines moved swiftly while the doors were open. Volunteers handed out hand fans, water bottles, and Gatorade to help attendees dealing with the 108-degree heat. Additionally, free Mexican popsicles were available to help attendees cool down as they entered the venue.

Pirtle noted that while there were more heat-related incidents at Trump’s rally, the fire department’s overall experience at both the Trump and Harris events was relatively similar.

Crowd Voices Economic and Immigration Concerns

While The Republic did not notice the same amenities at Trump’s rally as those provided during Harris’ event, attendees were enthusiastic about supporting their candidate.

Alan Martinez, 24, and Landon Mahoney, 23, made their way from the southwest Valley to attend the rally. For Martinez, it was his first rally, while Mahoney had attended a previous rally last year at the Arizona State Fair.

“Trump accomplished many good things during his presidency, and we need to return to that,” Martinez stated. “Things are terrible right now.”

Mahoney expressed a desire to hear Trump address plans for tightening border security in Arizona.

“We welcome immigrants, but they must come here legally. That’s essential,” Mahoney commented.

Martinez also expressed wanting to hear Trump address issues affecting the middle and working classes, especially concerning the rising costs due to inflation.

Feller, who chose not to stay due to the long queue, voiced his support for Trump, stating that he believes Trump can rejuvenate the economy and “lead us toward the right energy direction, prioritizing selling over buying.”

Feller, who is employed at a migrant detention center, emphasized that immigration is a significant issue that is often oversimplified by the media.

For Tanner Winthorp, 18, Chris Jansen, 19, and Grant Linq, 18, immigration was a key concern as they attended their first Trump rally together and are eligible to vote in a presidential election for the first time.

Winthorp mentioned that he believes “mass deportation” could be necessary, but also stressed that immigration should follow “the correct procedure.”

Trump Rally Captivates Attendees

Garret Balcitis, a 40-year-old contractor from Glendale, attended Friday’s Trump rally to learn more about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has recently paused his campaign to support Trump.

“I’m really eager to understand whether he’s going to play an active role or just offer his endorsement, and I want to see what comes next,” Balcitis stated. He has voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020 and identifies as a Libertarian.

He expressed his interest in witnessing a potential collaboration between Trump and Kennedy, especially if Trump wins the presidency in November.

When asked if he had supported Kennedy prior to the announcement of his withdrawal from the race, Balcitis shared that he advocates for limited government across the board.

“I’m not a devoted supporter of anyone in particular, but I value effective policies,” Balcitis remarked.