President Trump off to Colorado after Wednesday's Phoenix rally

President Donald Trump returned to Phoenix for a campaign rally with his supporters at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday, his first campaign visit to the state this election cycle.

We will have updates throughout the day about the president's visit to Phoenix.

Thursday: Trump headed to Colorado

Trump is scheduled for another rally Thursday in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He will be joined by Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner at the Colorado event. Gardner, like McSally, faces a close race this year.

Hundreds in Colorado Springs were already lined up Wednesday night, Colorado media reported, in much cooler temperatures than attendees in Phoenix faced.

— Rachel Leingang

9:30 p.m.: Trump leaves Arizona

Trump has now left Arizona, departing Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport en route to Las Vegas. Trump tweeted after the rally: “A beautiful evening in Phoenix, Arizona with Great American Patriots. THANK YOU!”

— Jessica Boehm

9:15 p.m.: Police take down person outside coliseum

Multiple Phoenix Police Department officers took down one person shortly following the end of the rally. A video showed at least four officers on the ground with the person and police placing handcuffs on them. One passing attendee could be heard saying, “That’s what happens when you assault people.”

Phoenix police did not immediately respond to inquiries about what led to this incident and whether the individual was officially placed under arrest. So far, no arrests have been reported.

— Uriel Garcia

9:05 p.m.: Trump motorcade moving

Trump is back in the motorcade, leaving the coliseum and returning to the airport.

He will return to Las Vegas for the night before heading to Colorado tomorrow.

— Jessica Boehm

9 p.m.: Protesters chant at rally attendees

Protesters chanted “lock him up” as rally attendees exited the coliseum and walked back to their cars.

About 100 protesters remained after the rally ended around 9 p.m.

A large police presence could be seen nearby.

— Uriel Garcia

8:52 p.m.: Trump ends speech

Trump ended the rally on a celebratory note after speaking for nearly an hour and a half.

Trump wrapped up his speech by reiterating a theme he expressed throughout: winning.

“We are going to keep winning, winning, winning,” he said. “Do you like winning?”

The crowd burst into applause.

“I don’t want you going to your governor and saying, 'Governor, we can’t stand winning so much,'” Trump said. “It’s not even fair to the rest of the planet.”

He said he would tell Ducey they were going to keep winning.

“We are going to win like never before, and the people of Arizona are going to love it,” he said.

— Jen Fifield

8:45 p.m.: A long day for President Trump

Trump told supporters in Phoenix he was having a long day — and he wasn't kidding.

Starting Wednesday morning in Las Vegas, Trump first flew to Rancho Mirage, Calif., where he hosted a fundraiser on a golf course.

Later it was on to Bakersfield, Calif., where he met with rural residents to talk about water policy.

Only then came the trip back south to Phoenix for the rally.

And that won't end the day — Trump will now take Air Force One back to Las Vegas for the overnight at his hotel there.

— David Jackson

8:40 p.m.: Trump talks pre-existing conditions

Trump said he is protecting people with pre-existing conditions and that his administration "always will." But protecting people with pre-existing conditions by preventing insurance companies from denying them coverage is one of the most popular parts of the Affordable Care Act — a law Trump has repeatedly denounced.

The Trump Administration's legal team has tried to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act, including its protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

“Team Trump has not proposed, much less passed, any legislation of their own that would protect people with pre-existing conditions,” said Christopher Robertson, a professor of law at the University of Arizona and author of the 2019 book, “Exposed: Why Our Health Insurance is Incomplete and What Can Be Done About It.”

“President Trump has broken his 2016 campaign promise to 'repeal and replace' the Affordable Care Act."

Trump said two things about health care that check out.

Life expectancy is going up — it increased in 2018 for the first time in four years.

He also said that he is working to eliminate HIV within the next nine years. He has taken steps to do that and in 2019 sent two top health officials to Maricopa County to help put in place increased testing and prevention here. Maricopa County has been identified by the Trump administration as a hotspot for new HIV infections.

— Stephanie Innes

8:40 p.m.: Right to Try mentioned

Trump gave a shout-out to the so-called Right to Try legislation, which was pushed by Arizona’s Goldwater Institute.

Trump called the legislation “spectacular.”

“We are saving so many lives, it’s incredible,” Trump said. “Now they have the right to use our drugs before they’re approved.”

The version passed by Congress allows terminally ill individuals a right to try experimental medications that have not been fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The bill’s title left the public with the impression it was spurred by a groundswell of patients demanding lifesaving treatment.

Instead, it was a focus group-tested name, coined by a consultant to a for-profit corporation, an Arizona Republic, USA TODAY and Center for Public Integrity investigation found.

That corporation, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a chain focused on alternative cancer treatments, wanted access to experimental drugs.

Right to Try illustrates another finding of USA TODAY’s investigation into model legislation written by corporations and handed to elected officials to introduce: Some copycat bills amount to little more than marketing and posturing, with organizations behind them highlighting a perceived problem and then offering a solution with little or no measurable impact.

The point is seemingly to score political points, draw attention to the organization behind the model, and raise funds off the effort.

— Rob O'Dell, Nick Penzenstadler and Rachel Leingang

8:25 p.m.: Trump attacks federal law enforcement

Attorney General William Barr may be upset with Trump's Twitter attacks on law enforcement, but the president didn't exactly tone down his rhetoric at the Phoenix rally.

Trump described some FBI officials as "scum" and "dirty cops" while denouncing a "double-sided" justice system that he claimed went easy on Hillary Clinton and tried to persecute him.

The president also made references to an ongoing investigation into the origins of the inquiry into Russian election interference in 2016, a probe that touched on Trump and some of his aides.

"Let's see how it all works out, folks," Trump told his followers. "I hope you're gonna be happy."

— David Jackson

8:20 p.m.: Trump talks border issues

Trump talked about how his administration is building the wall on the U.S-Mexican border, saying that they are building the wall “faster than ever.”

“We started a big wall right here in Arizona,” he said. “That’s a big one. Top of the line.”

Trump said Democrats want to “let everyone walk across the border” and said illegal immigration was costly for Arizona taxpayers.

He said immigration officers arrest criminal undocumented immigrants in Arizona, saying that “thankfully, Arizona has banned sanctuary cities,” referring to a provision in Senate Bill 1070.

Recently, Gov. Doug Ducey called on lawmakers to enshrine those rules in the state Constitution by placing on the November ballot a constitutional amendment banning sanctuary city policies.

— Jen Fifield

8:15 p.m.: Overflow crowd watching from outside

A crowd of at least hundreds of people who did not get into the event after the coliseum reached capacity are outside watching Trump speak on a screen.

— Uriel Garcia

8:15 p.m.: Trump suggests Arizona will be a closely contested state in November

One of the striking things about this rally is the fact it is taking place in Arizona — once a solidly Republican state that is now more competitive in presidential races.

Trump won Arizona by only 3.5 percentage points over Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton four years ago, and members of the president's campaign team say the state could be just as close this November.

Republican presidential candidates have won Arizona in every election since 1952 with one exception — Bill Clinton took it in 1996.

Growth in the state's cities and among its Hispanic communities have tended to help the Democrats, and figure to do so again this year.

Trump himself signaled that he also thinks Arizona will be close, assuring supporters right at the start of his speech that this will not be his last visit to the state.

"We'll be back a lot," he said.

— David Jackson

8:10 p.m.: Trump gets in a shot against Michael Bloomberg

It sounds like Donald Trump took a peek at the Democratic debate before he took the stage in Phoenix.

At one point during the rally, Trump noted that most of the Democratic candidates were ganging up on former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“I hear he’s getting pounded tonight," Trump said of Bloomberg.

— David Jackson

8 p.m.: Trump (again) claims Democrats will steal the nomination from Bernie Sanders

It wouldn't be a Donald Trump rally if he didn't try to sow divisions among Democrats — and in Phoenix he did it using Bernie Sanders.

Trump again said the Democratic Party would work to block Sanders from winning the presidential nomination — an argument he also made in 2016 in an effort to keep Sanders voters away from the polls in support of Hillary Clinton.

The Democratic Party "is gonna take it away from Bernie again," Trump said at one point.

Trump and his aides have made no secret of the fact that they would like to face Sanders in the fall election.

Of course, during his rally in Phoenix, Trump said publicly it doesn't matter who the Democrats put up.

"We don't care who the hell it is," Trump said. "We're going to win."

— David Jackson

7:55 p.m.: McSally, Trump together on stage

Trump called U.S. Sen. Martha McSally to the stage, saying she was working with him to strengthen the military and lower prescription drug prices.

“We are making a lot of progress,” Trump said.

Trump said that he supports McSally in her race against Democrat Mark Kelly.

“Martha has my complete and total support and endorsement,” he said.

He called McSally “tough as hell” before asking her to speak.

Taking the microphone, McSally said she had a message for the “liberal hack media” in the back of the room.

“Arizona is going to vote in November to keep America great and send President Trump back to the White House,” she said.

McSally said that she heard Trump’s call to lower prescription drug prices, and she will be introducing a related bill next week.

McSally said Arizona is “on fire” thanks to the leadership of Gov. Doug Ducey and other lawmakers.

“I’m flying on your wing, President Trump, and we are going to win in November,” she said.

— Jen Fifield

7:50 p.m.: Trump welcomes hockey player

Trump called out former Arizona Coyotes player Jeremy Roenick, saying he was an “Arizona hockey great and friend of mine.”

Roenick, an NBC Sports hockey analyst, was suspended last month for inappropriate comments he made about co-workers during a podcast.

Trump called him the “toughest hockey player.”

— Jen Fifield

7:50 p.m.: Trump pumps up crowd

Trump tried to keep the crowd pumped up throughout his speech, but especially in the beginning.

Early on, he got loud applause for his multiple comments about “fake news.”

He took breaks from speaking to spin around and point out to the crowd. The crowd responded a few times with a chant of “four more years,” holding up four fingers.

Trump said he loved “the unbelievable energy” in the crowd.

— Jen Fifield

7:47 p.m.: Arizona politicians come to stage

Trump called Gov. Doug Ducey to the stage. Ducey stood next to the president, who then called up several other Arizona GOP politicians to the platform.

Republican U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, Debbie Lesko and David Schweikert joined Ducey and Trump on stage.

Lesko carried her grandson with her. Schweikert also had a child with him.

Trump then called Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer and Arizona Republican Party chairwoman Kelli Ward to the stage.

Ducey then spoke briefly, saying he would “keep Arizona red in 2020” and return Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to the White House, McSally to the Senate and keep Republican majorities in Congress and the state Legislature.

Ducey thanked the president for his dedication to the cause of life and his judicial appointments. He said he was looking forward to working with Trump for four more years.

“These are great people, great people,” Trump said as the Arizona politicians left the stage.

— Rachel Leingang

7:30 p.m.: Trump acknowledges men who helped veteran

Taking the stage, Trump said it was great being in Arizona, with the state’s hard-working residents.

“With your help, we are going to defeat the radical socialists, and we are going to win Arizona in a landslide,” he said.

He thanked the men who helped a World War II veteran to his seat earlier in the night, and thanked the veteran.

“They say he is a legitimate, great hero,” he said.

As he spoke, Donald Trump Jr. went into the crowd and gave the men Trump hats.

The man's name is Ervin Julian, according to a tweet from Tim Murtaugh, the communication director for Trump's reelection campaign.

— Jen Fifield

7:27 p.m.: Trump takes the stage

President Trump has arrived at the Coliseum and taken the stage for his 10th visit to Arizona since 2015.

7:25 p.m.: Gila River Indian Community protests

Members of the Gila River Indian Community said they were protesting in support of the Tohono O’odham tribe. Last week, crews blasted part of a mountain on the southwestern Arizona border to make way for border wall construction. The Tohono O'odham Nation said the mountain has significant cultural and historical value for the tribe.

The Arizona Republic previously reported that the Tohono O'odham Nation's historic preservation officer said parts of the site were used as a ceremonial site and human remains may have been recovered from the mountain.

However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said their survey identified "no biological, cultural, or historical sites" in the area.

The group of protesters stood silently in the designated free speech zone with signs that read, “Human remains are still remains! Respect them!” A red handprint marked their mouths.

— Chelsea Curtis

7:20 p.m.: Event running late

Trump is at the coliseum but has not yet taken the stage. He was set to start speaking at 7 p.m.

Former state treasurer Jeff DeWit and former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, both longtime Trump supporters, were in VIP seats near the stage.

— Jessica Boehm

6:35 p.m.: Trump Jr. gives hats to veteran, helpers

During his speech prior to the president's arrival at the coliseum, Donald Trump Jr. said he would get signed campaign hats for the veteran and men who helped carry him through the venue.

— BrieAnna Frank

6:30 p.m.: Arizona leaders greet Trump

When Air Force One touched down at 6 p.m. at Phoenix Sky Harbor, it was greeted by several Arizona GOP leaders.

Gov. Doug Ducey, Senate President Karen Fann, House Speaker Rusty Bowers, Mesa Mayor John Giles, Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer waited for Trump at the bottom of the stairs.

Giles and Brnovich took selfies with Air Force One in the background.

When Trump emerged from the plane, he gave Ducey a quick wave and thumbs up. When Trump reached him, he greeted Ducey with a handshake and a shoulder pat.

Each of the other dignitaries shook Trump's hand and spoke with the president briefly. Brnovich asked for a selfie, and the president obliged.

— Jessica Boehm

6:25 p.m.: Donald Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle at rally

The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., as well as his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, were at the rally. Guilfoyle was making a speech as the president landed at Sky Harbor International Airport at about 6 p.m., followed by Trump Jr.

— BrieAnna Frank

6:20 p.m.: Coliseum at capacity

Phoenix police confirmed in a Twitter post that the coliseum reached full capacity shortly after 6 p.m. The venue holds 14,870 people. Countless people were still waiting in line outside the venue as the rally began.

— Bree Burkitt

6:15 p.m.: R.E.M. song still played

Among the songs being played at the coliseum ahead of Trump’s rally: R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion.”

The rock band said in January that it didn’t want Trump to use its music at his rallies.

“We are exploring all legal avenues to prevent this, but if that’s not possible please know that we do not condone the use of our music by this fraud and con man,” R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills posted on Twitter in January.

— Richard Ruelas and Rachel Leingang

6 p.m.: Protesters arrive at coliseum

Protesters arrived at the coliseum without any incident shortly before 6 p.m. Some briefly clashed with Trump supporters as they passed a small group before entering the designated “free speech zone.”

Organizers told The Republic they plan to march back to the Puente headquarters shortly to continue their protest.

— Uriel Garcia

6 p.m.: Trump arrives in Phoenix

President Trump has arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. He will now make his way to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

At 5:54 p.m., Gov. Doug Ducey, Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott, Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, Mesa Mayor John Giles and Attorney General Mark Brnovich were gathered on the tarmac ready to greet Trump.

— Jessica Boehm and Chelsea Hofmann

5:40 p.m.: Trump arriving soon

White House personnel at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport told media there that President Donald Trump is on schedule to arrive around 5:50 p.m.

— Chelsea Hofmann

5:35 p.m.: McSally takes stage

Sen. Martha McSally, who faces a close race this November, told the crowd she was excited to be working with Trump on lowering prescription drug costs.

She took a dig at her likely opponent, Democrat Mark Kelly, tying him to Democratic presidential front runner Bernie Sanders.

She said the crowd needs to show Trump how strong Arizona is and that they will vote Trump and McSally in November.

— Rachel Leingang

5:30 p.m.: Protesters heading toward coliseum

Hundreds of protesters began the 1.5 mile walk from Puente Human Rights Movement headquarters near Adams Street and 20th Avenue to the coliseum shortly after 5 p.m.

They chanted, banged on drums and held onto brightly colored signs as they made their way to the Coliseum as the sun began to set.

"The community are in the streets demanding freedom," they shouted.

But the protesters won't be entering the Coliseum, or even the property. Officials took precautions to avoid any clashes by limiting protesters to a "free speech area" on Encanto Boulevard between 19th and 17th avenues.

They passed the entrance to Interstate 10 off 19th Avenue, which was blocked by Department of Public Safety troopers in riot gear. Some paused to take pictures of them standing in front of the closed freeway.

— Uriel Garcia

5:20 p.m.: Speakers rally crowd

Speakers have started warming up the crowd at the coliseum in advance of Trump’s arrival. Kelli Ward, the chair of the Arizona Republican Party, spoke first, followed by U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Arizona.

“I love Arizona, and I love President Donald J. Trump!” Lesko told the crowd.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, said it was an “honor” to serve the president, who often asks him how things are going in Arizona.

“I tell him all the time, Arizona is the best state in the union,” Biggs said. “This is a freedom-loving state.”

Trump’s “coattails” will allow Republicans to win again in Arizona, Biggs said.

Before the members of Congress took the stage, they worked the crowd.

Someone on the floor of the coliseum asked Biggs for a photo. Then, someone else did. And, before long, Biggs was posing for photo after photo with attendees at the rally.

For about 20 minutes, an aide dutifully took photos of a smiling Biggs next to whomever had just handed the aide the camera.

By contrast, Lesko stopped and took an occasional photo. But, at least while the Republic saw her on the floor, kept moving, never letting a line form.

— Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Richard Ruelas and Rachel Leingang

5:10 p.m.: Parking lots full, traffic busy

Just after 5 p.m., officials said all parking lots around the coliseum were full. They warned people to expect traffic to be backed out on surrounding streets, and that parking is restricted in surrounding neighborhoods.

— Kaila White

5 p.m.: Veteran carried to seat

Those waiting for President Donald Trump's speech Wednesday evening at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum had something to cheer for even before the president's arrival in Phoenix — an elderly veteran being carried to his seat.

Video shared on Twitter showed two men, one of whom had a POW/MIA vest on, carrying the man down stairs on the side of the venue and then across the floor.

The video, posted by Rafael Gutierrez and shared with The Arizona Republic, showed people taking pictures and videos and applauding as the men walked by. Gutierrez said the man is a World War II veteran.

— BrieAnna Frank

5 p.m.: Puente protest starts

A few dozen protesters gathered at the Puente Human Rights Movement headquarters near Adams Street and 20th Avenue. The group planned to hold a "Reject Hate" rally before marching the 1.5 miles to the coliseum.

A piñata depiction of Trump in a jail uniform with the words “bigot” and “liar” scrawled across his forehead sat nearby.

Franklyn Olivieri, 50, of Phoenix, said he joined protesters because he wants Trump to approve immigration reform for DACA recipients whom he said are good people and contribute to society.

— Uriel Garcia, Angel Mendoza and Chelsea Curtis

4:30 p.m.: Lots full, people coming on foot

The main parking lots north and south of the coliseum are filled to capacity, but people are still coming in by foot and many more are expected, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. People are still being let in to the coliseum.

— Samuel Leal

4:25 p.m.: Not full yet

The coliseum is at least a quarter empty at the moment, though there's till plenty of time for that to change.

—Ronald J. Hansen

4:20 p.m.: Heat exhaustion

The Phoenix Fire Department evaluated 13 people “inside the coliseum grounds” for heat exhaustion and heat-related injuries, spokesman Capt. Rob McDade said.

Four of those people were taken to local hospitals by ambulance, McDade said.

— BrieAnna Frank

4:15 p.m.: Traveling for Trump

This isn’t Connie Steel’s first time seeing Trump in person. Or her second. Or her third.

Wednesday’s rally will be her fourth. She has seen him in downtown Phoenix, Chicago and Las Vegas, too. She tried to go to one more, but got blocked by a group of protesters, she said.

Steel is one of many supporters attending Wednesday’s rally who travel for Trump. These are people who like to be among their own. They like the camaraderie.

Steel volunteers for the Trump campaign and said she enjoys the rallies because the people are great and patriotic.

She calls the people she volunteers with the “nicest people she knows.”

Chris Phillips of Kansas City, Missouri, said Wednesday’s rally is his fourth.

He loves the people and the positive environment among supporters, he said. “It’s like a festival.”

— Katie Surma

4 p.m.: Protesters start arriving

About two dozen protesters were gathered in the "free speech area" on Encanto Boulevard between 19th and 17th avenues shortly before 4 p.m.

Phoenix resident Bonnie Oakes clutched a brightly-colored sign that read, “Now you’ve pissed off grandma! Hands off my Social Security.”

Oakes said she disagrees with practically everything Trump has done.

“I believe in climate warming, and we need to do something right away,” Oakes said. “He’s trying to take our social security and that’s not right. Women’s rights, too. He needs to stay out of our wombs and everything like that.”

The protesters were calm as rally attendees filed into the coliseum across the street.

One man clad in a red Trump T-shirt occasionally yelled to the protesters from across the street that served as the divider between the two groups. One protester asked the man to buy him a Trump hat. The man told the protester to buy it himself because he’s “tired of giving welfare out.”

More protesters were expected to arrive later in the evening after they marched from the Puente Human Rights Movement headquarters near Adams Street and 20th Avenue to the coliseum.

— Chelsea Curtis

3:45 p.m.: Parking lot full

Phoenix police announced on Twitter that parking at the fairgrounds is at capacity and overflow lots are quickly filling. Those still planning on coming to the event are advised to pay attention to restricted parking in neighborhoods.

— Alyssa Stoney

3:30 p.m.: Vendor has been to 50+ Trump appearances

Blake Warren is not the only one in the crowd with a Trump 2020 hat on. But his has a unique twist: fake orange hair coming out of the top.

This isn’t the only hat Warren has with him, either.

He has a display of dozens that he is selling, lined up on tables along a wall outside the coliseum.

Warren, from Washington state, travels around the country selling hats and other Trump merchandise. He’s been to more than 50 Trump appearances.

He’s a Trump fan himself, although he says his family back in Washington isn’t. They try not to talk politics.

Warren used to sell sports merchandise but found this to be more profitable.

He and his partner drive to all the locations, taking turns driving and sleeping. They made the most at a Dallas rally: More than $8,000.

— Katie Surma

3 p.m.: Doors to coliseum open

Wearing red shirts, MAGA caps and cowboy hats, a massive crowd of lively Trump supporters began filing into the coliseum just before 3 p.m. as the doors opened for his campaign rally.

Some of them had waited for more than 24 hours to get in.

By mid-afternoon, a line of hundreds of enthusiastic Trump supporters wound through the coliseum parking lots.

— Jen Fifield

2:30 p.m.: Slow commute ahead

Expect a slow commute tonight.

Roads will be closed as the President’s motorcade moves from the airport to the coliseum during rush hour, which may cause delays, the city of Phoenix said on its website.

Encanto Road will be closed between 17th and 19th avenues, the city said. One eastbound lane of Encanto off 19th Avenue will remain open for traffic moving into the event parking lot.

Traffic will likely be heavy on 19th Avenue, McDowell Road and Grand Avenue, the city said.

The city’s Twitter accounts will provide traffic updates: @PhoenixPolice, @StreetsPHX and @CityofPhoenixAZ.

While there is parking at the fairgrounds, it may be full. Parking on residential streets in the surrounding neighborhoods is permit-only in many areas, the city warned.

— Rachel Leingang

1:30 p.m.: Hundreds already lined up

A line of hundreds of enthusiastic Trump supporters winds through the coliseum parking as people wait for the rally to begin.

It’s sunny and 75 degrees. The crowd is lively, dressed in red. Trump hats abound.

People sit on chairs shaded by umbrellas and munch on fairground food — pork chops on sticks, cheese curds and cowboy fries.

Police say there have been no issues with the crowd so far.

People have come from across the state, saying that they had never supported a president the way they support Trump.

George Knepel, 76, and Bill Robinson, 65, who both live in Apache Junction part-time, are among them.

Knepel says he is there simply to see Trump. He’s the only one protecting their rights and the country from being taken away from them, he said.

Robinson, who lives in Canada part-time, is hoping to convince Trump to trade places with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Gregory Puckett of Scottsdale said he thinks of Trump as “the people’s president, not the government’s president.”

“To me, he’s not bought,” Puckett said.

Aleksandra Krzanowska, 38, waves a poster that says, “Yesterday I became a U.S. Citizen and now I am proud to vote for Trump 2020.”

— Katie Surma

1 p.m.: Where are protests planned?

Multiple groups are planning to protest the event, according to posts on Facebook and azresist.info.

The north side of Encanto Boulevard between 17th and 19th avenues will be blocked off and reserved for protesters, according to a release from the Phoenix Police Department. That area includes a parking lot for a nine-hole city golf course.

Protesters blocking roads outside of the designated area may be arrested for obstructing a public thoroughfare, which is a misdemeanor, according to the release.

If police decide that a group is gathered unlawfully, meaning "when a group is involved in criminal activity and are posing a danger to themselves or others," police may ask the group to disperse, according to the release. People who fail to follow the instructions may be arrested.

A protest called "Reject Hate" is set to start with a rally at 4:30 p.m. at the Puente Human Rights Movement headquarters near Adams Street and 20th Avenue in Phoenix. At 5:30 p.m., protesters plan to march about 1 ½ miles to the coliseum.

Puente has long organized protests in the Valley, including against former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Senate Bill 1070 and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Arizona Jews for Justice, a Jewish social justice organization, is organizing a protest at 5:30 p.m. at the coliseum. It's not yet clear if a meeting point has been established.

Jeffery Fetterhoff, a candidate for Phoenix City Council, is organizing another protest at the coliseum from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. His group plans to gather at the corner of Encanto Boulevard and 19th Avenue, according to a press release from Fetterhoff. That's the same location several protest groups plan to meet.

— Ryan Vlahovich

Noon: What we expect at the rally tonight

Trump returns to a friendlier Arizona, at least among GOP office-holders, than he saw in some of his past visits.

The state's former Republican Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake shunned Trump and his rallies in 2015 and 2016 and condemned Trump for firing up the “crazies” or for being coarse, ill-informed and inaccurate. McCain died in 2018 and Flake's opposition to Trump ended his political career.

Arizona's GOP elected officials who have previously not fully embraced Trump, like Sen. Martha McSally and Gov. Doug Ducey, now do.

Supporters expect Trump to focus his rally remarks on the economy, judicial nominees and his impeachment acquittal.

"The difference between now and then is the Supreme Court justice he's put into place, the economy is booming, and even for those who might cringe at some of the tweets, they can't argue with the success," GOP consultant Lisa James said.

"You now have some of his biggest cheerleaders here, and I think that it all goes back to it's hard to argue with the success."

— Yvonne Wingett Sanchez

11 a.m.: Trump's past visits to Phoenix

When the president touches down, he will set foot on a new presidential battleground that also will host one of the most expensive Senate races in the country.

Wednesday marks his 10th visit to Arizona as a candidate or president, renewing his relations with a state that he credits with helping his political rise in 2015 and could hold the key to a second term in November.

The rally Wednesday is the first of what could be plenty of visits to a state that is increasingly viewed as up for grabs in an election with relatively few battlegrounds.

Trump carried Arizona by 3.5 percentage points in 2016 over Democrat Hillary Clinton, and political experts expect the presidential race to be tighter this year.

The rally comes the day before he is scheduled to appear alongside Sen. Cory Gardner in Colorado Springs, Colo. Gardner, R-Colorado, faces a competitive race in that Democratic-leaning state.

— Yvonne Wingett Sanchez & Ronald J. Hansen

10 a.m.: Who will be with Trump?

The rally occurs during a congressional recess when members of Congress typically return to their home districts.

Sen. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, will attend the event. She has become a reliable ally of Trump and this year is facing a tough election battle against Democrat Mark Kelly, a retired NASA astronaut.

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Arizona, Rep. David Schweikert, R-Arizona, and Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Arizona, told The Arizona Republic that they will attend the event. Lesko served as a member of Trump's impeachment defense team and will have a speaking role at the rally, according to Heather Smith, Lesko's spokeswoman.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, told The Republic that he will attend.

Gov. Doug Ducey plans to greet Trump at the airport and ride in the president's motorcade to the rally, the Governor's Office said Tuesday.

Kelli Ward, the Arizona Republican Party chairwoman, may also have a role at the rally.

— Katie Surma

9 a.m.: What is the history of the coliseum?

The coliseum, once known as the "Madhouse on McDowell," has hosted several presidents over the years.

Richard Nixon visited in 1974, a few months before he resigned. George W. Bush held a rally there in 2004, and Barack Obama held one in 2008.

Since opening its doors in 1965, the historic venue has hosted sports teams, musicians and religious figures.

The Phoenix Suns played there from 1968 to 1992. It was during this time that longtime Suns broadcaster Al McCoy nicknamed it the "Madhouse on McDowell."

The Phoenix Roadrunners, a now-defunct Arizona hockey team, called the coliseum home during various stints from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Today, the coliseum’s basketball tradition lives on through the Phoenix Mercury. The three-time WNBA champions have temporarily relocated to the coliseum while awaiting completion of renovations at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

The stadium, which has a saddle-shaped roof, initially had a seating capacity of 12,381. That was later expanded to 14,496.

The Trump campaign will pay $27,000 to rent the coliseum, according to the contract provided by the Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board.

— Samuel Leal

8 a.m.: How bad will traffic get? What about flights at Sky Harbor?

Traffic could get a bit congested near the fairgrounds Wednesday as thousands of people are expected to attend the rally.

Phoenix's website of planned road closures doesn't show any related to the rally in that area.

But a presidential motorcade likely will stop or slow traffic as it moves through town.

If you're flying Wednesday and are wondering whether a presidential visit could delay your flight at Sky Harbor International Airport, don't worry. For the most part, it will be business as usual.

"Sky Harbor has hosted several presidential visits over the past decade and we have found that the president's arrival and departure has had little impact on passengers at Sky Harbor," airport spokesman Greg Roybal said.

Air Force One does not use Sky Harbor's public terminals, so it's unlikely you'll notice any difference in the main airport facilities. Typically, Air Force One parks away from the terminal and the president disembarks by stairs.

Where you might notice a difference is if you are scheduled to take off or land at the same time as the president.

Roybal said all takeoffs and landings are typically stopped for a few minutes while Air Force One arrives and departs. That doesn't usually cause flight delays.

— Melissa Yeager and Rachel Leingang

7 a.m.: How to get tickets to the rally

To get a ticket to the rally, you must register on Trump's campaign website. Tickets are free, but you have to verify yourself via phone number. Each phone number is limited to two tickets.

Doors will open at 3 p.m., per the Trump campaign. Trump is set to begin speaking at 7 p.m., after he attends a sold-out, $2,800-per-person "Rally Photo Opportunity" along with other GOP heavy hitters.

At past events, there has been a lengthy line and wait to get into Trump rallies, as they are first-come, first-serve. If you plan to attend in person, plan to wait in line outside for quite some time. Wednesday's forecast is sunny; bring sunscreen and water.

Some people were already in line Tuesday, nearly 30 hours before the rally was scheduled to start.

The address of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum is 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. Trump previously appeared at the coliseum on June 18, 2016.

Attendees can park at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, where the coliseum is located. The cost is $10, cash only. Public transit options also are available and can be found on valleymetro.org.

Here's a list of what NOT to bring to the rally:

Aerosols

Ammunition

Animals other than service/guide animals

Backpacks

Bags exceeding size restrictions

Bicycles

Balloons

Coolers

Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems

Explosives

Firearms

Glass, thermal, or metal containers

Laser pointers

Mace / Pepper spray

Packages

Selfie Sticks

Structures

Signs exceeding the size restrictions (20' x 3' x 1/4")

Support for signs and placards

Toy guns

Explosives

Recreational motorized mobility devices

Weapons of any kind

Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards

— Katie Surma