Trump supporters praise president as he headlines Turning Point USA event at megachurch: He is playing 3D chess

Backers of President Trump jammed an Arizona megachurch Friday as he was set to headline a Turning Point USA rally to bolster turnout amongst Republican voters ahead of the midterm elections.Feverish supporters at the “Build the Red Wall” event at Dream City Church in Phoenix shot down recent criticisms of the president  — including over the Iran war, record high oil prices and a controversial AI-generated image Trump posted Wednesday appearing to depict himself as Jesus Christ.Cheryl Rosado, 44, called Trump’s Jesus meme “quite distasteful” but brushed it off as possible “good fun” that missed the mark —  adding he’s been a “fabulous” president overall.“That’s quite distasteful, but the only thing I can say is, I still pray for the president,” the office administrator said.“[He’s] the best president I’ve seen in my lifetime.”Rosado approved of Trump’s actions in Iran and placed the blame for surging oil prices on local laws.The widely panned meme — which depicts Trump healing a sick person while bathed in divine light and cloaked in a red robe  —  sparked backlash from even the president’s supporters this week, following his disagreements with Pope Leo over the war in Iran.The pope said God doesn’t bless those who drop bombs, and called Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization if the country’s repressive regime doesn’t strike a peace deal “truly unacceptable.”Rally-goer Liz Harris, 55, however, said she believes Trump has a grand plan for Iran and oil prices. “I’m a believer that he is playing 3D chess.

He knows exactly what he’s doing,” Harris, a real estate broker, said.“[The Iran blockade] is a temporary measure.

Nobody likes war.But I’m excited that there’s a strategy.

I think all pricing is going to stabilize.”A committeewoman for the Republican National Committee, Harris donned a red, white and blue sequin jacket to the event.Other were eager to hear Turning Point US...