Trump turns against Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds after word of her planned endorsement of Ron DeSantis leaks: ‘It will be the end of her political career’

After news broke that Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will endorse Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president, Donald Trump predicts “this will be the end of her political career.”

The popular Iowa Republican plans to endorse Ron DeSantis for president, boosting the Florida governor’s 2024 campaign as he struggles to make headway against Trump in the Republican primaries, two people familiar with the matter said the case on Sunday.

DeSantis has pinned his chances of emerging as an alternative to the Trump alternative squarely on Iowa.

Trump’s campaign — which previously rejected an event organized by Reynolds where she interviewed the candidates — was quick to criticize her on Sunday.

“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.

“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 he 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!’

Reynolds is well-liked within the Republican Party and will break with Iowa’s long-standing tradition of supporting DeSantis.

The governor of Iowa generally remains neutral ahead of the caucuses that kick off the Republicans’ nomination calendar in January.

Trump’s campaign — which previously rejected an event organized by Reynolds where she interviewed the candidates — was quick to criticize her on Sunday. Pictured: Trump with Reynolds at a 2020 event

She is expected to make the official announcement on Monday.

Reynolds had introduced DeSantis at political events in Iowa and appeared alongside Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis — without publicly voicing her support.

But the governor often touted her shared policy priorities and achievements, including a bill that would ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant.

Reynolds, who is in her second term, had left open the possibility of endorsing a candidate during the Jan. 15 caucuses.

She had introduced Trump at an event in March. But Trump has accused her of disloyalty for considering an endorsement for the caucuses and trying to take credit for winning the governorship.

Trump is the big favorite to win in Iowa. DeSantis is competing with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley to emerge as a viable alternative to Trump in the leadoff contest just 10 weeks away.

A month ago, DeSantis sent about 20 staffers from his campaign headquarters in Tallahassee to Iowa.

Reynolds had introduced Trump at an event in March. But Trump has accused her of disloyalty for considering an endorsement for the caucuses and trying to take credit for winning the governorship.

Reynolds had introduced DeSantis at political events in Iowa and appeared alongside Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis — without publicly voicing her support

DeSantis has pinned his chances of emerging as an alternative to the Trump alternative squarely on Iowa

The super political action committee backing him, Never Back Down, has employed about 20 staff since the summer to reach out to potential caucus participants.

On Friday, DeSantis spoke to about 50 GOP activists during an early afternoon stop in Denison, the heart of Republican Crawford County.

It was the 86th county in Iowa he visited, on a mission to visit every one of the 99 counties, and the final piece of the puzzle in the bloc of conservative western Iowa.

Reynolds is popular within the party, among other things, because he signed a school choice law and a strict abortion ban this year.