Trump to campaign in Arizona after being convicted of hush money charges | Global News

Former President Donald Trump is making a bold return to the campaign trail, with his first stop in a battleground state since being convicted in a hush money scandal. Trump is set to speak at a town hall in Phoenix, Arizona, organized by Turning Point, a conservative youth organization that has seen a surge in influence alongside Trump’s leadership of the GOP.

Despite facing a guilty verdict in a New York court for illegally influencing the 2016 election through hush money payments, Trump remains defiant. This event marks his first direct engagement with swing-state voters who will play a crucial role in the upcoming November election.

Turning Point, led by Charlie Kirk, has become a powerhouse in Arizona, where its influence has grown within the state GOP. However, the group has faced challenges in winning general elections, as seen in the 2022 midterms where their slate of conservative candidates suffered defeats.

With the upcoming election season heating up, Turning Point is looking to expand its reach to other battleground states. Trump’s recent appointment of his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as the new RNC Chair has further solidified the group’s ties to the former president.

Arizona, a state that narrowly went to President Joe Biden in 2020, has become a focal point for Trump and his supporters who continue to push the false narrative of election fraud. The state’s controversial recount and ongoing legal battles highlight the intense political climate in Arizona.

As Trump gears up for his campaign events in Arizona and Nevada, the political landscape remains highly charged and unpredictable. With the 2022 midterm elections looming, all eyes are on how Trump’s return to the campaign trail will impact the political dynamics in these crucial battleground states.