Current:Home > BackTrump returns to Iowa for another rally and needles the state’s governor for endorsing DeSantis-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Trump returns to Iowa for another rally and needles the state’s governor for endorsing DeSantis
View Date:2024-12-23 20:52:49
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will campaign Saturday in west-central Iowa as part of his fall push to sign up supporters and volunteers ahead of the state’s leadoff caucuses, now less than two months away.
Trump is expected to headline an organizing rally in Fort Dodge, a GOP-leaning hub, the latest in a series of targeted regional stops aimed at seizing on the large crowds the former president draws to press attendees to commit to voting for him on Jan. 15.
The midday event set for Fort Dodge High School would be Trump’s sixth Iowa visit since late September. While Trump has led Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley comfortably in polls of likely caucus participants, Trump’s campaign has been more aggressive in Iowa than any of the other early-voting states in the Republican presidential nominating calendar.
Speaking on a radio show Thursday to promote his appearance, Trump ripped DeSantis as “doing very poorly” even after winning the endorsement of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who broke with the general practice of Iowa governors not to support a candidate before the caucuses.
“I was really good to her and then she said she was going to remain neutral. And I said, ‘That’s OK,’ but I didn’t really want her particularly,” he told host Simon Conway.
“Ron is doing very poorly in the polls and I guess he put a full-court press on her,” Trump said. “And she did that. And that’s fine. I think it’s fine. I don’t think it’s made any difference.”
Trump has made regular stops in Iowa, appearing at eight events before audiences totaling more than 16,000, according to Trump’s Secret Service detail, in the past eight weeks.
It’s part of Trump’s 2024 strategy to stress organization more than in 2016, when he finished a competitive second place, but did so without building the network of staff and volunteers to deliver what was unexpected support for the real estate mogul and reality television personality.
His lesser-known rivals, especially DeSantis, have been in Iowa more often as they hope to score a better-than-expected finish against the former president, who also leads comfortably in national Republican polls.
As Trump campaigns in Fort Dodge Saturday, DeSantis will be campaigning across southern Iowa, inching closer to reaching his goal of campaigning in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. That’s a traditional marker some candidates have tried to achieve to show their commitment to Iowa.
A recent memo to donors from DeSantis’ campaign suggested that DeSantis’ all-in strategy in Iowa, including last week’s endorsement of the Florida governor by Reynolds was in keeping with his hope to rob Trump of “a big win in Iowa.”
veryGood! (249)
Related
- Princess Kate to host annual Christmas carol service following cancer treatment
- Trainers at New Jersey police seminar disparaged women, made ‘inappropriate’ remarks, officials say
- Family of West Palm Beach chemist who OD'd on kratom sues smoke shop for his death
- Watch 'mastermind' deer lead police on chase through Sam's Club in Southern California
- Gisele Bündchen Makes First Major Appearance Since Pregnancy
- McDonald’s burger empire set for unprecedented growth over the next 4 years with 10,000 new stores
- 'Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé' is maximalist excellence
- He changed television forever. Why we all owe thanks to the genius of Norman Lear.
- Martha Stewart playfully pushes Drew Barrymore away in touchy interview
- Death of Florida plastic surgeon's wife under investigation after procedures at husband's practice
Ranking
- Mega Millions winning numbers for November 8 drawing: Jackpot rises to $361 million
- McDonald’s burger empire set for unprecedented growth over the next 4 years with 10,000 new stores
- The Justice Department is investigating the deaths and kidnappings of Americans in the Hamas attack
- Shannen Doherty says she learned of ex's alleged affair shortly before brain tumor surgery
- Cold case arrest: Florida man being held in decades-old Massachusetts double murder
- Ex-Florida State president: FSU needs to leave ACC; playoff committee caved to pressure
- Reba McEntire roots for her bottom 4 singer on 'The Voice': 'This is a shame'
- Massachusetts woman wins $25 million scratch-off game 17 years after winning $1 million
Recommendation
-
Biden funded new factories and infrastructure projects, but Trump might get to cut the ribbons
-
Hanukkah message of light in darkness feels uniquely relevant to US Jews amid war, antisemitism
-
Aaron Rodgers defends Zach Wilson, rails against report saying Jets QB was reluctant to start again
-
Slovakia’s new government closes prosecutor’s office that deals with corruption and serious crimes
-
Jessica Simpson's Husband Eric Johnson Steps Out Ringless Amid Split Speculation
-
Europe was set to lead the world on AI regulation. But can leaders reach a deal?
-
Biden backs Native American athletes' quest to field lacrosse team at 2028 Olympics
-
Google ups the stakes in AI race with Gemini, a technology trained to behave more like humans