Trump makes a grand entrance to the Iowa State Fair, eclipsing his rivals, as he stops at pig shack and animal center
Trump makes a grand entrance to the Iowa State Fair, eclipsing his rivals, as he stops at pig shack and animal center
- Trump’s arrival overshadowed his rivals for GOP nomination
- Former president leads polls for state and Republican nomination
- His first stop at the fair was the pig shack where he was served a grilled cutlet
Donald Trump arrived at the Iowa State Fair Saturday with a grand entrance that overshadowed Ron DeSantis and the other contenders for the Republican presidential nomination as they campaigned for voters in the important early caucus state.
He arrived in the greatness that only Trump can bring. Trump Force One flew low over the fairgrounds for the public to see. The Secret Service wandered past a long line of people waiting to enter Steers & Steins to see the former president.
His first stop was the pig producer’s tent, where he accepted a grilled cutlet and waved to the crowd, who roared with delight.
Trump said it was a “nice day” to be in the state and he was happy to be in Iowa.
Donald Trump at the Iowa State Fair
There was even new campaign gear: bright green hats that read “Donald Trump Back to Back Iowa Champ” and bright green t-shirts that say “Make Our Farmers Great Again.”
Meanwhile, protesters ambushed DeSantis, Trump’s closest rival for the GOP nomination, at every stop on Saturday.
DeSantis started the morning with a nice chat with Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds—demonstrators waiting for him, blowing whistles and bells, drowning him out as he tried to speak. They were eventually removed.
And as DeSantis flipped chops—a mandatory right-of-way for presidential candidates—Trump supporters waving signature bright green Trump campaign signs—began shouting “We love Trump.”
During all of this, a plane flew overhead in circles, trailing a banner reading “Be nice, Ron!”
Trump also brought a host to Iowa of prominent Florida Republicans who have supported him over DeSantis.
Donald Trump arrives in Iowa wearing a red ‘Make America Great Again’ cap
The former president has many supporters in Iowa, but some Republicans are expressing doubts about his ability to beat Joe Biden ahead of the former president’s appearance at the state fair on Saturday.
Trump leads Iowa polls — including by 26 points in the latest DailyMail.com poll — but he’s barely set foot in the state.
And while his rivals for the Republican nomination campaign old-fashioned — he visits all 99 counties, visits the butter cow at the state fair, and throws pork chops on the grill — Trump spent only a few hours on the ground.
The lack of appearances and the rush of his competition could cast doubt on the former president in voters.
Reynolds hosts carnival chats with all Republican presidential candidates except Trump, who declined her invitation, noting that she spoke well of rival Ron DeSantis.
Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst told Fox News that while Trump is leading in the polls, “we also have some people who will say, ‘We need a new face.'”
Plenty of Republicans are vying to be the fresh face. Mike Pence walks the fairgrounds for two days. He talked to Reynolds, ate some pork, and saw the famous butter cow.
Vivek Ramaswamy rapped to Eminen’s Lose Yourself. Nikki Haley worked the crowds.
Protesters filled a Ron DeSantis event and drowned him out
Vivek Ramaswamy got the crowd going at the Iowa State Fair with a performance of Lose Yourself
Longtime Republican Senator Chuck Grassley told DailyMail.com, “When you’re at the State Fair, talk to the Iowans. Sentence? That’s how you win a caucus.’
Grassley, who guided presidential candidates around the state fair, said he has not spoken to the former president nor does he know what Trump is up to on Saturday.
‘Don’t know. But I know what he did eight years ago when he was here. He came in with his helicopter, let the kids ride in the helicopter. He should do the same thing again,’ he said.