Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has announced plans to hold a noon rally at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport on Wednesday, Dec 16.
Trump's return to the Phoenix area comes in the wake of his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States, an idea that has triggered a polarized response.
When rumors first circulated that Trump may return to the Phoenix area on Thursday, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton released a statement condemning the candidate’s rhetoric.
“I hope that Donald Trump does not bring his hateful message of division and intolerance back to Phoenix,” Stanton, who is a democrat, said in his statement. “He has a First Amendment right to spew vile rhetoric, but his brand of increasingly overt racism is in complete contrast to our values as a city."
As of Friday evening, the Trump campaign website listed the event location as International Air Response, a private aerial service provider located in the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport.
Wednesday's rally will be the candidate’s second visit to the Valley. In July, Trump hosted a rally against illegal immigration at the Phoenix Convention Center.