Trump claims 15,000 supporters came to watch his Phoenix speech: Rapidly rising presidential candidate boasts of his success after tickets to 'free' event sold for $100
- Trump tweeted Sunday that 'officials in Phoenix don't want to admit that they broke the fire code by allowing 12-15,000 people in 4,000 code room'
- Meanwhile, originally free tickets for the sold out event sold online for as much as $100
- A Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Saturday showed Trump neck-and-neck with Jeb Bush atop the large field of Republican presidential contenders
Donald Trump says the Phoenix speech in which he further doubled down on his controversial immigration stance Saturday attracted a crowd as large as 15,000.
The rapidly rising presidential candidate tweeted Sunday that 'officials in Phoenix don't want to admit that they broke the fire code by allowing 12-15,000 people in 4,000 code room.'
Meanwhile, tickets for the free event went for a $100 or more on sites like Craigslist as ticketholders tried to profit on the sold out speech.
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Big crowd: Donald Trump says the Phoenix speech in which he further doubled down on his controversial immigration stance Saturday attracted a crowd as large as 15,000
Boasting of his rising poll numbers, the real estate mogul railed against his rivals in the 2016 presidential race and criticized companies such as Macy's that cut ties with him over his inflammatory comments about Mexican immigrants.
'Thousands and thousands of people are cutting up their Macy's credit card. I love it,' the Republican candidate said during a defiant hour-long speech.'
Since Trump accused Mexico last month of sending rapists and criminals to the United States, numerous businesses have cut ties with him, including NBC Universal, Univision, and NASCAR.
He defiantly made fun of each of them, recounting in detail a phone conversation during which Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren told him the retailer would drop its Trump menswear line.
His rally, originally planned for a hotel ballroom, was moved to a convention center after more than 9,000 people asked for tickets, organizers said.
Trump was joined at the rally by local sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has been sued by the Justice Department for racially profiling Latinos.
Pricey: Tickets to the free Saturday event were sold online for as much as $100 or more
Rising: Boasting of his rising poll numbers, the real estate mogul railed against his rivals in the 2016 presidential race and criticized companies such as Macy's that cut ties with him over his inflammatory comments about Mexican immigrants
Teaming up: Trump was joined at the rally by local sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has been sued by the Justice Department for racially profiling Latinos. Outside the rally, Democrats from Tucson shared water bottles with about 100 protesters, who chanted 'No more hate! No more hate!' to the beat of a drum
Trump said his degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, his 12 bestselling business books, his track record on reality television and his wealth were evidence of his qualifications for the nation's highest office.
'I'm really smart,' he said.
He told the crowd he would be able to get hostages returned 'in an hour' and would taxMexico each time someone crossed the border illegally. He said he could convince the head of Ford Motor Co to move a plant back to the United States from Mexico overnight, with a couple of phone calls.
'It's so simple,' he said.
A Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Saturday showed Trump neck-and-neck with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush atop the large field of contenders for the Republican nomination.
'How could I be tied with this guy? He's terrible!' Trump said in his speech.
'If you people go with Bush, you're going to lose,' he said.
Other targets in his off-the-cuff speech: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy. He mocked Secretary of State John Kerry for breaking his leg in a bike accident.
'We have stupid leaders, OK?' he said.
A Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Saturday showed Trump neck-and-neck with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush atop the large field of contenders for the Republican nomination
Since Trump accused Mexico last month of sending rapists and criminals to the United States, numerous businesses have cut ties with him, including NBC Universal, Univision, and NASCAR
Trump's rhetoric has alarmed Republicans and drawn attention to the party's awkward debate over immigration. Republicans have struggled to attract support from Latino voters without alienating supporters concerned about illegal immigration
He also criticized the Mexican government and the 'dishonest' press. He called civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton a 'con man.'
Trump's rhetoric has alarmed Republicans and drawn attention to the party's awkward debate over immigration. Republicans have struggled to attract support from Latino voters without alienating supporters concerned about illegal immigration.
Ahead of the rally, Senator John McCain of Arizona, the Republican presidential candidate in 2008, said Trump was creating a 'circus' that risked damaging the party.
Outside the rally, Democrats from Tucson shared water bottles with about 100 protesters, who chanted 'No more hate! No more hate!' to the beat of a drum.
'The only thing I can tell you is that it is awakening the Hispanic community,' said Eduardo Sainz, 22. 'We're keeping a tally of who is on our side and who isn't. The Hispanic community won't forget in 2016.'
Protesters briefly raised a banner inside the speech reading 'Stop the hate' but it was quickly pulled down amid pushing and shoving, and they were escorted out.
'I wonder if the Mexican government sent them over here. I think so,' Trump said.
After the speech, Scottsdale, Arizona Republican Joan Ewart, 81, said she liked how Trump is not financially beholden to anyone.
'That's the beauty of Donald Trump. He can say anything,' she said.
Trump's rhetoric has alarmed Republicans and drawn attention to the party's awkward debate over immigration. Republicans have struggled to attract support from Latino voters without alienating supporters concerned about illegal immigration
Ahead of the rally, Senator John McCain of Arizona, the Republican presidential candidate in 2008, said Trump was creating a 'circus' that risked damaging the party
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