Heat Sends 11 to Hospital at Trump Rally in Arizona

Summary:

Extreme heat in Arizona sent 11 people to the hospital as they waited to enter a campaign rally with former President Donald Trump.

• Weather Conditions: The south-west U.S. is experiencing extreme temperatures, hitting 112°F (44°C) in Nevada, Texas, and California, with Death Valley reaching 121°F. In Phoenix, where the rally was held, the temperature was 111°F. The National Weather Service has forecast record-breaking heat and issued excessive heat warnings.
• Rally Details: Thousands of Trump supporters queued outside the Phoenix Dream City Church, facing strict security measures that delayed entry. The rally was Trump’s first since his criminal conviction in a New York hush-money case. He spoke for about 90 minutes before departing for a fundraiser in San Francisco. His next event is in Las Vegas, where temperatures are also unusually high.
• Health Impact: Phoenix Fire officials reported that 11 people were hospitalized with heat-related symptoms. Firefighters used ice to treat and cool down others.
• Climate Context: The intense heat is part of a broader trend of increasing temperatures attributed to human-induced climate change. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that the world experienced 12 straight months of record-high temperatures, with last month being the hottest May on record.
• Public Advisory: Residents in the south-west are urged to limit outdoor activities and stay hydrated due to the dangerously hot temperatures. More than 30 million people are under heat alerts.