Janice R. Andrews
During a recent rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona, Donald Trump bewildered his audience with an unusual verbal misstep. The former president referred to a group in attendance as “Azure-asians,” leaving many spectators perplexed. The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with users sharing video clips and speculating about Trump’s intended meaning.
While some wondered if Trump had meant to say “Arizonans” or even “Azerbaijanis,” journalist Aaron Rupar offered a more likely explanation. Rupar suggested that Trump was attempting to acknowledge supporters wearing red shirts labeled “Assyrians for Trump,” a group with a small online following.
The moment was captured on video, showing Trump struggling with his words: “We have Aseurasians in our room. We have some incredible people in our room…”
Assyrians, an ethnic group with roots in ancient Mesopotamia, primarily identify as Christian or Catholic and often distinguish themselves from the broader Arab world.
This latest verbal stumble adds to growing concerns about Trump’s age and mental acuity. A recent New York Times article highlighted Trump’s increasingly disjointed speeches and apparent energy decline. Former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci remarked on the change, noting that Trump isn’t performing at the same level as he did eight years ago.
At 78, Trump would become the oldest person ever elected to the presidency if victorious in November. However, incidents like this continue to raise questions about his cognitive fitness as the 2024 election draws near.
