Donald Trump speaks ahead of Republican Iowa vote
Republicans are holding their first caucus amid the freezing temperatures in Iowa that went below minus 20
January 16, 2024
Hours before the Republicans are organising a party voting in Iowa to pick their November 2024 presidential candidate, Donald Trump said Monday that it will be a "tremendous night" for him, as he has been absent from the GOP debates.
During a brief chat with the journalists while leaving for the Hotel Fort Des Moines, Donald Trump said: "We won it twice as you know, two elections, and I think we’re going to have a tremendous night tonight."
The Republicans are holding their first caucus amid the freezing temperatures in Iowa that went below minus 20, forcing the party contenders to cancel their campaign events.
The 77-year-old appreciated his supporters for showing up in his rallies. In this regard, he said: "The people are fantastic and I’ve never seen spirit like they have, country-wise, but in Iowa."
On the other hand, the GOP candidates for the presidency expressed the fear of low turnout amid extreme cold.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Monday that the extreme cold can have an impact on voter turnout, however, he also encouraged people to participate in the caucuses for GOP voting to fight for them for "the next eight years."
"If you're willing to go out there, in this temperature and dedicate a few hours of your life to do in the Iowa caucus, you know, and you're supporting me … I'm gonna be fighting for you for the next eight years, and we're going to turn this country around. Now's the time to do it,” Ron DeSantis said during a stop in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.
As the Republicans are set to pick their candidate for the November 2024 elections, Trump was leading the race among other candidates in the polls with Nikki Haley, and Florida governor Ron DeSantis trailing behind.
North Dakota governor and former presidential candidate of 2024, Doug Burgum endorsed Trump Sunday. Florida Senator Marco Rubio — who was defeated by the former president in 2016 — also endorsed the business mogul.
According to the polls, Trump has 48% of support in the conservative, religious state, while DeSantis, slipped to third place, with 16% of support. Haley, however, was jumped to second — cashing DeSantis' lackluster campaign — 20%.
