During a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, on October 14, President Donald Trump claimed that confidential information regarding a military operation against Iran was leaked to the media, forcing a change in the operation's schedule. He stated, "Leakers should be executed."
Trump's remarks came as he campaigned for the upcoming November midterm elections in a region known for its strong Republican support.
He alleged that key information was leaked during an airstrike involving U.S. military forces from Missouri, which necessitated adjustments to the operation's timeline. However, he did not provide specific details or direct evidence to support his claims about changes in Defense Department plans.
Expressing his anger towards leakers, Trump said, "In my opinion, leakers should be executed. In the past, leakers were executed. They should be treated very, very harshly. To me, they are the scum of the earth."
Since taking office for a second term, Trump and his allies have increasingly criticized media outlets that publish unfavorable stories, particularly those related to Iran. This has led to the White House banning reporters from outlets like MSNOW, Politico, and CNN, prompting those organizations to file lawsuits claiming violations of the First Amendment.
U.S. media outlets have expressed concern over Trump's harsh rhetoric. Bloomberg noted that as the midterm elections focus on inflation and economic issues, Trump's repeated attacks on leakers could distract from his administration's economic achievements.
In addition to his comments on leaks, Trump continued his offensive against the Democratic Party, linking economic and social policies to potential election outcomes. He warned, "If we lose the election, we could lose all tax benefits related to tips, overtime, and Social Security. They (the Democrats) want to eliminate all those benefits."
He emphasized the successes of his administration's border policies and the war on drugs, asserting, "If the Democrats regain power, they will open the borders again, sell Arizona to the cartels, and raise prices."
Trump also claimed, "They want to open the borders and force gender transition surgeries on your children, allowing men to compete in women's sports. We must overcome this. We need to ensure this never happens again, as they seek to destroy all our achievements."
Trump's visit to Arizona is seen as a strategic move to rally his traditional support base. Arizona was one of seven battleground states where Trump won with 52.2% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election. Notably, Mohave County, where the rally took place, is a stronghold for Trump, with him receiving 77% of the vote in that area.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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