Heckler gives Ron DeSantis a ‘participation trophy’ in front of his wife Casey as they battle snowstorm to campaign in Iowa and Florida governor says he’s ‘sick and tired’ of Democrats beating Trump
A comedian sarcastically tried to hand Ron DeSantis a “participation trophy” as he crashed his campaign stop in Atlantic, Iowa, as the Florida governor made a final push ahead of the Jan. 15 caucuses.
Gov. DeSantis has faced a barrage of protesters, activists and agitators during his latest swing in Iowa, in the middle of a snowstorm.
But the weather and protesters aren’t stopping DeSantis from continuing his campaign — even after candidates had to cancel events earlier this week due to bad weather with subzero temperatures and whiteout conditions.
DeSantis told voters in remarks in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday that he is tired of Donald Trump and other Republicans losing and caving to Democrats in promising to keep their promises if elected president.
Earlier on Saturday, a heckler interrupted DeSantis’ comments to members of the media alongside his wife, Casey DeSantis, to attempt to present a trophy to the 2024 hopeful in a joke about his predicted death on Monday.
“Very quickly, before we start – thank you all,” the heckler, political comedian Davram Stiefle, said with authority as he interrupted Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey fired political comedian Davram Stiefle when he interrupted a press conference to present the 2024 hopeful with a “participation trophy” during a campaign stop in Atlantic, Iowa on Saturday
Members of DeSantis’ security team escorted Stiefler as he attempted to present the trophy to DeSantis
“Governor DeSantis, I would like to present you with this participation trophy,” the heckler continued, to laughter from even Casey and Ron.
He continued, “You’re probably not going to win the election, right? But we’re proud of you for trying. There you go.’
That’s when security started to get involved as DeSantis put a hand on the man’s shoulder and said, “I don’t need a participation trophy.” I’m sorry mate.’
“He’s special, he’s unique, and he’s our little snowflake,” the heckler said as he was escorted out of the room, attempting to hand the trophy to DeSantis with, “Here you go, did you want the award?”
The Florida First couple was not happy with the interruptions.
In West Des Moines, about an hour and a half from the Atlantic scene, a mascot in a carrot suit with a PETA handler tried to get in for DeSantis, but they were turned away at the door.
On Thursday, DeSantis also faced three separate outbursts from environmental activists at one event as they protested his actions in Iowa and his proposed energy policies.
When DeSantis arrived about an hour late to his event in West Des Moines on Thursday in gloomy winter weather, he made one of his final pleas to Iowa Republicans to stand up for him on Monday.
Shortly after the heckler incident, DeSantis stopped by Never Back Down’s Iowa headquarters, where he gave one of the final pleas to voters, saying he was “sick” that Donald Trump lost to Democrats. Pictured: Ron and Casey DeSantis with son Mason, five, during a stop in West Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday
“I’m fed up with Republicans… basically turning everything over to Democrats,” DeSantis complained in his remarks Saturday afternoon. “These guys get beat over and over again by the Democrats. They have a majority in the House of Representatives and (Rep.) Chip (Roy) and some of these other guys are fighting, but they are doing budget deals that are at the expense of Democrats.”
“I’m tired of Democrats winning,” he continued. “I’m tired of Democrats beating Donald Trump on the budget over and over again. And they added so much to the debt. “I’m tired of the fact that Democrats defeated him on the border wall and that we didn’t get a border wall for four years as we were promised.”
“Of course we have to win the election,” the governor said, “but if you just win the election, you only get a ticket to the dance. You have to actually repent of all these things. Because if you get in there and you don’t deliver on these promises, then yeah, that slows down the decline. Maybe you can manage the decline a little better than the Democrats. That is not enough.’
“We have to reverse the decline, and you have to make all these things happen. So we have a chance on Monday evening.’
A person in a carrot suit braved the -1 degree weather with PETA to protest outside the DeSantis event in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday. They were turned away at the door
DeSantis says Iowans should come to the caucus, claiming the weather may keep Trump supporters away as they assume he will win without their support.
‘It’s getting cold. It’s not going to be pleasant,” the Florida governor, accustomed to sunshine and warm weather, told voters in Iowa. “But if you’re willing to brave the elements… then as president I will fight for you for the next eight years.”
The weather in Des Moines, Iowa and across the state is reaching frigid levels, with temperatures expected to drop to -20 on the day of the caucuses on Monday, while wind chills will make the wind chill even colder.
Several agencies have warned Iowans about staying outside for too long, saying just 5-10 minutes in the weather could lead to frostbite or hypothermia.