Suzanne Downing: Trump went the distance for Alaska. Now it’s our turn to show up

Photo: President Trump speaks in Wasilla on October. 13, 2026. © Al Grillo 2026

By SUZANNE DOWNING

Oct. 13, 2026 – Consider the day President Donald Trump put in just to get to Wasilla.

A media scrum at the door of the White House first thing this morning. Then, Marine One from the White House to Joint Base Andrews. Air Force One for an eight-hour flight to Alaska. Another helicopter ride from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to the Mat-Su Valley.

Then onto the stage at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center for a speech that ran nearly 90 minutes.

Whatever else anyone wants to say about this president, he showed up for Alaska. He’s 80 years old and ran circles around most of us this day.

Last year, Trump came here to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, putting Alaska at the center of international diplomacy. This year, he returned to make the case for Alaska’s future and for the people he believes can help deliver it.

It was a remarkable day from beginning to end. Historic.

People began lining up in the early morning. They waited for transportation, waited for security, found their places, and waited some more. Inside, the building was packed. Outside, thousands more watched on a giant screen.

Those people had plenty of other things they could have been doing on a Tuesday. Many took the day off of work and school for the occasion. They chose to spend hours waiting for the chance to see their president in Wasilla.

That says something about the enthusiasm that doesn’t always find its way into a poll.

After the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and national anthem sung by the amazing vocalist John Teamer, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich set the stage, along with GOP Alaska Party Chairman Carmela Warfield.

By the time Trump arrived, the crowd was ready.

And so was he. He was an absolute energizer bunny. He didn’t seem a bit fatigued.

After crossing the continent, Trump still had energy to spare to praise Alaska, take apart America’s political adversaries, bring cabinet officials to the stage, deliver pardons to Alaskans in person, and give Republicans the push they needed to start pulling in the same direction for the election in November.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum were there, too. These are two Cabinet members whose decisions matter enormously to whether Alaska gets to build, produce, and prosper. Their presence gave substance to the president’s message.

Alaska has the resources. This administration wants us to use them.

The Alaska LNG project figured prominently in that message, along with expanded opportunities for oil, gas, and mineral development. The administration’s Alaska agenda includes $150 million for a major electrical transmission project, a push to develop the Ambler Mining District, and the reversal of federal restrictions that have kept Alaska’s resources beyond reach. The White House also pointed to tax relief, rural health investments, fisheries, and Arctic security. He announced a $4 billion investment from Taiwan into the Alaska LNG project, adding to the more than $50 billion already penciled in with South Korea.

For Alaskans, these issues reach straight into the household budget. Can we afford to heat our homes? Will there be dependable natural gas? Can our children find work here and stay?

We spent four years under Biden watching Washington make those questions harder to answer.

One of the most memorable moments of the rally brought federal power down to the level of two Alaska families.

Trump pardoned Zachary Czubak and Patrick Fleming, who had been convicted in connection with modifying diesel emissions equipment. He described their prosecution as an injustice against men trying to keep engines working. The pardons followed his earlier pardon of Wasilla mechanic Mackenzie “Mac” Spurlock.

There is a serious Alaska issue behind those cases. When diesel equipment loses power or becomes inoperable in extreme cold, the consequences can be dangerous. Sullivan has pressed that point, and even the EPA has acknowledged widespread problems with diesel exhaust fluid systems and, under Trump, has moved to address sudden, severe power loss.

For the men receiving those pardons, this was a day that changed their lives.

The political message was equally clear.

Trump came to help Dan Sullivan, and he gave him the kind of forceful support that should remind Republicans what is at stake in November. Sullivan has spent years working on the gasline, military readiness, infrastructure, and access to Alaska’s resources. He understands both the opportunities and the federal obstacles.

Trump also went after Mary Peltola, and hard, attacking her temperament and recounting allegations about her treatment of staff. His assessment was blunt, as anyone familiar with Trump would expect. It was classic Trump.

For Nick Begich, the president’s support was another affirmation of an extraordinary first term. Begich has given Alaska every reason to send him back to work.

Trump referred to Bill Hill’s record running the Bristol Bay Borough School District — a record readers first reported here at The Alaska Story.

Our reporting examined the dismal academic results at the end of Hill’s tenure. At Bristol Bay Middle/High School, three of 24 tested students were proficient in English language arts, and two of 24 were proficient in math. Naknek Elementary was designated among the lowest-performing 5% of Title I schools. Trump mentioned these deficiencies.

Then there was Bernadette Wilson.

Breaking: Trump endorses Bernadette Wilson for Alaska governor, urges Republicans to unite behind her

Earlier in the day, Trump had, on TruthSocial, announced his endorsement of Wilson for governor. At the rally, he reinforced his support for the Republican ticket and made clear that he wants Alaskans to elect her alongside Sullivan and Begich.

That endorsement gives Republicans an opportunity to come together at a moment when too much energy has gone into fighting among themselves.

Trump supplied the leadership and the oomph. Republicans now have to decide what they will do with it.

There was, inevitably, a heckler. Security removed him, and the rally moved on. The president joked that the man would have to go home to his parents, who probably voted for Trump.

What defined the day was the enthusiasm.

Just over a week ago, I was in Fairbanks for Vice President JD Vance’s visit. Now the president himself had come to Wasilla, with Cabinet members, endorsements, pardons, and an Alaska agenda.

Our state has the attention of the people making decisions in Washington. We should understand the value of that attention and the opportunity it gives us.

Trump finished to “YMCA,” with the crowd still cheering after a very long day.

He had traveled eight hours to ask Alaskans to help elect people who will work with him. Thousands of Alaskans had given much of their day to hear him. Now he had to travel to his next rally, and then the next one.

The president went the distance for Alaska. We can make it to the polls.

Suzanne Downing is founder and editor of The Alaska Story and is a longtime Alaskan.

Trump heads to Alaska to help Sullivan; White House reporters ask about everything else