Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds used a “burner” account on report.
Reynolds, who endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Republican primaries, isn’t the first anti-Trump heavy hitter to be caught with a blowtorch after Mitt Romney’s infamous “Pierre Delecto” account was unearthed in 2019.
But the Reynolds revelation came just four days before voters were set to vote for both candidates, as well as former South Carolina governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
A repost from the burner account — titled @Kimberl26890376 and using her name — which has since been suspended — showed a side-by-side photo of DeSantis with his family next to Trump at Mar-a-Lago with a group of young women.
“The contrast is overwhelming…” wrote the story’s original poster, who has no known connection to Reynolds other than his profile, in which he says he favors DeSantis.
The New York Times reported that the ‘Kimberl’ account belonged to the governor, while sources confirm she is behind it.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (pictured left) used a ‘burner’ account on according to a report
Another shared post accuses Trump of having “no loyalty” to others, despite claiming it to himself.
‘That’s FEALT. That makes sense, because these people want a king,” the message said.
Haley isn’t spared by the burner account either, with a shared post from the DeSantis campaign calling her ‘the liberal Democrat who is actively auditioning to become Trump’s vice presidential running mate.”
The account posted messages of support for DeSantis, such as “Undeniable winner!”, “Leader!” And ‘100% fulfilled on promises made!!’ on her own.
The account had just 259 followers before it was deleted and did not contain any official reference to the governor, but did have a photo of Reynolds as its profile photo.
Reynolds has not yet publicly commented, confirmed or denied the existence of the account.
Reynolds endorsed DeSantis in November and while she had harsh words for President Joe Biden, she was clear that she “doesn’t think (Trump) can win.”
She strongly believes in DeSantis’ electability, despite trailing by double digits in most primaries then and now.
Another shared post accuses Trump of having “no loyalty” to others, despite claiming it to himself.
“I believe he is the candidate who can win,” she told the Des Moines Register.
“And not only do we need someone who can win, but we also need someone who has the skill and the determination, which he clearly has, to reverse the madness that we see happening in this country.”
DeSantis views Reynolds’ endorsement as a coup that he hopes will propel him past Trump.
Trump’s campaign — which had previously rejected an event organized by Reynolds where she interviewed the candidates — quickly criticized her after the endorsement.
“Kim Reynolds has apparently started her retirement journey early as she clearly has no aspirations for higher office,” the Trump campaign said in an emailed statement.
“Earlier this year, she promised her voters that she would remain neutral in the race, but she has completely kept that promise. Either way, her support won’t make any difference in this race.”
Trump also used his Truth Social account to rob Reynolds.
Reynolds made the announcement in November in a joint interview with DeSantis, taking a direct shot at President Joe Biden.
Reynolds strongly believes in DeSantis’ electability, despite trailing by double digits in most primaries
“If and when Kim Reynolds of Iowa supports Ron DeSanctimonious, who is absolutely dying in the polls both in Iowa and across the country, it will be the end of her political career because MAGA will never support her again, just like MAGA Will never support DeSanctimonious again. again,” he wrote.
‘However, two extremely disloyal people coming together is very nice to see. They can now stay faithful to each other because no one else wants them!!!’
He wrote in another Truth post that Reynolds had promised him she would remain neutral through the primaries.
‘She wanted to campaign with everyone. I told her that I should have “stayed neutral” when she asked me to help her get elected, and that I didn’t want or need her to campaign with me. I’m now 41+ points up in Iowa!’
The governor of Iowa generally remains neutral ahead of the caucuses that kick off the Republicans’ nomination calendar in January.