Former President Donald Trump returned to Iowa on Saturday for his first visit to the state after losing the presidential election in November, launching a multifront …
Former President Donald Trump returned to Iowa on Saturday for his first visit to the state after losing the presidential election in November, launching a multifront assault on President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats he said were taking the nation to the “brink of ruin.” Trump, who spoke for more than 90 minutes, rattled off a long list of campaign-style promises and joked about a potential new slogan, but stopped short of announcing a reelection bid. “We’re going to take America back,” he said. He repeated false claims that the 2020 election was “rigged.” He continued to cast doubt on the results, including in Arizona which just concluded a review of the state’s largest county’s votes and found no evidence of a stolen election. And in front of thousands of whipped-up supporters, he endorsed both U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses, which has for decades launched the presidential nominating contests for both major political parties. “You proved why Iowa should continue to vote first in the nation, that’s right. First in the nation,” Trump said, referencing his 8-point margin of victory in Iowa in 2020. Trump dragged Biden for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Afghanistan withdrawal, and multiple pieces of domestic legislation that have clogged up Congress — which Democrats control by slim margins — for months. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Trump said, later encouraging his supporters to turn out en masse next fall for the 2022 midterm elections. “We must send the radical left a message they will never forget,” he said. Trump’s visit comes as more Iowans feel more favorably toward him than they ever have, according to the latest Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. Overall,53% hold favorable feelings toward Trump, and it’s even higher among his fellow Republicans, with 91% feeling favorable toward him. Despite his dark message about the Biden administration, Trump was upbeat about Iowa during his visit. “As disastrous as the Biden administration has been, no one can blame the great state of Iowa, because boy we did really — we did really good here,” he said. “Iowa, what a place.” He took the stage shortly after the University of Iowa scored a come-from-behind victory against Penn State in a game that was displayed on large screens during the rally’s pre-program. “Hello Iowa, and congratulations to the Iowa Hawkeyes!” Trump said, kicking off his remarks. “That was a big win today!” His appreciation for Iowa extended to Grassley, who he said “has my complete and total endorsement for reelection.” “We have with us tonight a great American patriot, a man who truly loves Iowa — loves Iowa,” Trump said. “He’s a young — very young guy. He’s strong. And he’s very handsome. He fights like no other. When I’ve needed him for help he was always there.” As for Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has not formally announced her reelection campaign, Trump hinted an endorsement could be coming very soon. “I said Kim, do you want me to endorse you tonight or later? And she said, ‘Sir, this is Chuck Grassley’s night.’ How great is that?” Iowa Democratic Party Chair Ross Wilburn criticized Iowa Republicans for supporting Trump after his supporters stormed the U.
