The most important elements of Trump's speech were not the words he said, but his presence with others. A who's who of Hawkeye State Republicans, including Sen. Chuck Grassley (and Gov.) were there alongside Trump. Kim Reynolds, Mariannette Miller–Meeks, Ashley Hinson, and former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, as well as Jeff Kaufmann, Iowa GOP Chair.
Since leaving the White House, Trump has held rallies. Never have Republicans of such stature and tenure appeared alongside him. Grassley's presence in particular meant that any qualms Trump may have had are now forgotten. All questions about the direction and strategy of the party are resolved.
Trump seemed to know this too, as he concentrated on the 2020 election results and even admitted that his party members wanted him to just move on.
Trump stated that some Republican members of Congress had advised him to think about the future and not look back.
I'm telling you that the single largest issue, however bad the border is and how they're doing it theyre destroying this country, is that the election fraud of 2020 is the issue that gets most attention, most respect, and the biggest cheers. Trump stated.
Not that long ago, there was more uncertainty over Trump's future in the party. In January, Grassley made a harsh condemnation of Trump's actions in the aftermath the 2020 election. It was a statement that suggested a desire for redemption from the messiness.
He lost. He filed over 60 lawsuits, and lost every one. He could not challenge enough votes to overthrow President Biden's large margins in key state, Grassley stated in a statement after voting against Trumps second impeachment. To get his way, he humiliated and harassed elected officials throughout the country. Mike Pence, his loyal vice president, was encouraged to take unusual and unconstitutional actions during Electoral College.
However, Grassley is now in a new place. He announced recently, at the age of 88 that he will be running for a eighth term. Trump is now a necessary nuisance.
Grassley and Republicans from the Senate Judiciary Committee published a report this week that stated Trump's reported pressure on Department of Justice to alter election results was not only exaggerated but also consistent with the promises of the presidency to uphold the Constitution. On Saturday night, Trump invited Grassley to the stage to give his full and unqualified endorsement of his reelection bid.
Grassley stated that if I refused to accept the endorsement of a person who has 91 percent of Republican voters in Iowa, it would not be too smart.
This is a great gift for Trump. Trump has openly discussed the possibility of running for the office again. The fact that he was welcomed with open arms by the Iowan presidential caucus state was a clear signal to voters that he is still running for office was a shining neon sign that he believes this party will be successful. He did it all while still attacking current leadership (he exonerated Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at different points on Saturday for reaching a deal between Democrats to raise debt ceiling and for having not challenged the election), and without offering any remorse.
This is the difference. Hillary [Clinton] has conceded. I have never conceded. Trump stated, "There is no reason to concede," to cheering fans.
Trump's position at the top of the GOP was not a point of contention for the faithful who attended Saturday night's gathering. More than a dozen of Trump's supporters were interviewed and said that they believed he would run again in 2024.
We are in a downturn in our country and we must bring it back up. Judy Williamson, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, stated that this is what Judy Williamson meant. I worry about Biden's mental capacity. I'm not sure that he is mentally well.
People wait at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines for the rally with former President Donald Trump. | Thomas Beaumont/AP Photo
Jason Latimer, from State Center in Iowa, was asked if Trump should run again. He replied that he already is and that's why he's here.
Iowans poured into the fairgrounds to support Trump and listen to him speak. Recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa poll showed that 53 percent of Iowans and 91% of Republicans had a positive view of Trump, with higher approval ratings than Trump ever enjoyed while in office.
Kaufmann, Iowa Republican Party chair, stated that absence makes the heart grow fonder. This was in reference to Trump's popularity before his visit.
Kaufmann stated that he didn't mean to be rude. Trump is, for many Iowans, the middle finger to continuing to do things the old way. He represents the support of fat cats and corporate welfare that Democrats and Republicans have supported. Trump is a symbol of people who are frustrated and saying enough is enough.
Although Trump has not yet officially declared his candidacy for the presidency, his visit in Iowa could be a hint at a bid for 2024. He has a substantial advantage over the other hopefuls for 2024 because of his ground game. To work on Save America outreach, Trump hired two full-time state operatives, Alex Latcham (a long-standing operative in the state) and Eric Branstad (the son of Republican Iowa Gov.). Terry Branstad was also Trump's ambassador to China.
Branstad said he has a deep love for Iowa. He spent so much time in Iowa doing rallies and the movement in Iowa has been there since the beginning.
Trump is taking concrete steps to assert himself as the leader of the shadow 2024 field but not everyone believes he's the best Republican to nominate.
It's about winning and that is the main question. Trump has a loyal base that will ask that question. Bob Vander Plaats is an evangelical and conservative leader in the state.
Vander Plaats praised the warm welcome Iowans have received to the steady stream of Republicans visiting the state. Former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex. ), and Tom Cotton, R-Ak. ), and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, along with others, visited Iowa. Trump has been watching their movements closely, but an aide stated that his team is not concerned.
One aide stated that we don't really need to pay attention to other people. Trump Country is the name of every farm in the state. It is evident in the polls. It is evident in the actions of the people. It is evident in the actions. Trump is seeing them emerge from the woodwork.
