While Democrats were tearing each other — mostly Michael Bloomberg — to shreds during Wednesday night’s Las Vegas debate, President Donald Trump may have captured the evening’s most viral moment during a campaign rally in neighboring Arizona.
Trump paid tribute to Irvin Julian, 100, a World War II veteran who was carried to his seat by two Trump supporters to a standing ovation.
Tens of thousands of Trump supporters attended the rally at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The crowd can be heard chanting “USA! USA!” in the background.
"It’s all over TV that the folks here tonight have helped a great World War II veteran into the arena," Trump said to applause. "I don't know if he knows it but he's right now the hottest celebrity in the world. I don't know what's going on here. He might even be hotter than Trump right now, I have to say."
"He is all over television. Even fake news CNN had him on," Trump said to boos.
"But they say he is a legitimate hero of World War II, Ervin Julian. Ervin, thank you," the president said to 'USA!' chants from the audience.
Trump’s rally in Phoenix was the first of three consecutive rallies this week, with one planned in Colorado Springs on Thursday and another in Las Vegas on Friday.
Trump was holding his rally at the same time Bloomberg and five other Democrats were holding a debate before this weekend's Nevada caucus. Early voting is underway for this Saturday's vote.
Even Trump took his own shot at Bloomberg, who was already under intense attack from the other Democratic presidential candidates.
»Sin City throwdown: Best lines from Wednesday's Vegas Democratic debate
Democrats are vowing not to repeat the debacle that was the Iowa caucus, the Democrats’ first big political event of 2020 that turned into a circus of delays, glitches and fodder for President Trump and Republicans.
»Never again: Nevada Democrats vow not to repeat Iowa’s missteps
After Saturday’s caucus comes the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary.
»2020’s important election dates you should know
Then comes Super Tuesday on March 3, in which 14 states and American Samoa will cast their primary ballots.
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