Donald Trump wins hearts of some in GOP, scorn from critics during Phoenix visit

During a campaign stop in Phoenix Saturday, Donald Trump's larger-than-life personality and harsh rhetoric on immigration made him a hero to some local Republicans, while deepening the disdain of his critics, who said Trump's inflammatory remarks are further alienating Latinos from the GOP.

Trump, a Republican presidential candidate who has faced mounting criticism for labeling immigrants as rapists and criminals, doubled-down on his illegal immigration message before a cheering crowd inside the Phoenix Convention Center.

MORE:Donald Trump visits Phoenix, talks immigration

In a speech lasting more than an hour, Trump, a real-estate mogul and former reality-TV star, expressed love for Mexico, saying his remarks have been taken out of context by the media. Trump repeatedly said he respects Mexico's leaders, who are "too smart" for American leaders, whom he repeatedly called "stupid." And Trump later told the media that he expects to win the Latino vote.

He offered no detailed plan to address illegal immigration, but pledged before 4,200 people to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

After a disruption by a group of Latinos in the audience, he told the crowd: "Don't worry, we'll take our country back."

The crowd cheered wildly.

Trump's message — and his delivery — moved voters like Scottsdale conservative Jim Ettwein.

"He's an egotistical guy, but I love an egotistical guy in this case," said Ettwein, a management consultant. "He's making the campaign fun, interesting, issue-oriented. And I think he's speaking from his heart; he really believes this stuff."

Trump's remarks on illegal immigration, Mexico and the border resonate with a segment of the Republican base, Ettwein said, "because no matter what you think about certain Mexicans, or other Mexicans coming over, there are many good Mexicans here but there's an awful big problems that we're not addressing."

And Trump will address it, said voter Dolores McCaslin, 62, an independent.

McCaslin, who waited hours for Trump to take the stage, said she was blown away by his "impassioned" speech on illegal immigration and the military. She said it solidified her belief that Trump would make a trustworthy president, one who can make great the nation's standing in the world.

"We need new, we need fresh and we need a man that's got a backbone, and he appears to have that," McCaslin said. "He loves the Mexican people. He doesn't like illegals. I love that."

Others jeered Trump's message and said he's using the immigration issue to get attention. Some of the dozens who gathered outside called him "racist" while others held signs reading "Deport Trump" and "Arizona rejects your racism."

Some protesters shouted at Trump supporters, who shouted back as they waited to be let into the building.

"Deport you, deport you," several Trump supporters shouted at the protesters, who gathered in the street and on the sidewalk. Phoenix police Sgt. Trent Crump characterized protesters as "law-abiding citizens" who want to express their First Amendment rights.

A Republic journalist was told by police he would be handcuffed if he stood on the sidewalk outside the convention center on Monroe Street, between Second and Third streets. Phoenix police Lt. J.F. Johnson said that when the convention center is rented, the sidewalk becomes private property.

Gilbert Romero was with the group of about a dozen protesters that disrupted Trump's speech. A member of the crowd shoved him as the group was escorted from the room.

Outside the convention center, Romero told The Republic that Trump is a polarizing figure.

"Trump's racist rhetoric does not represent Arizona and he is not welcome in Phoenix," he said.

Romero said he was disappointed that Trump mocked the protesters by suggesting they were working for the Mexican government.

"I was born less than one mile from the convention center," Romero said.

Alejandro Landeros, of Glendale, said Trump is creating an atmosphere of hatred toward Mexicans.

"I feel sad this is happening," he said. "They think it's OK to put us down. They judge us without knowing. We're just coming here because we want to make a difference but we're getting shut down."

Alfonso Aguilar, executive director of the Latino Partnership at American Principles in Action, called Trump's remarks on immigration "baseless" and "insulting" to both Mexican-Americans and undocumented immigrants.

"They are not criminals. They're not rapists. That's an insult," Aguilar said at a news conference following Trump's speech. "Studies actually show that immigrants coming into the community lower crime rates. Immigration creates economic opportunity. It creates jobs for the working class."

He also said that many people who work for Trump are Mexican-Americans, or could be undocumented, and that Trump has profited from their work.

"He's using this (campaign) as another reality show to get attention," he said. "He's playing with the American voters. He does not have the executive temperament to be president of the United States."

Republic editor Wyatt Buchanan contributed to this article.

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