During a campaign stop in the Hawkeye State on Saturday, former President Trump restated his dissatisfaction with the endorsement Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds extended to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 primary.
“I mean, that was her choice to do this. But I believe in loyalty,” Trump said to loud cheers in the crowd during a rally in Ankeny, Iowa.
The former president took an additional step, asserting credit for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ victories in both the 2018 and 2022 elections.
“This state is not that difficult, and it is a great state with great people,” he remarked. “But, she became the governor, and then she called me when she had a big program: running against a very wealthy man.”
“He was way up in the polls, and he was going to win. I came, did a big rally and endorsement of her, fought like hell, and she ended up winning, right?” Trump continued. “And the second time was much easier.” a campaign stop
Reynolds had officially endorsed Ron DeSantis early the previous month, lauding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida and hailing him as “one of the most effective leaders” she had witnessed. This endorsement came after she initially pledged to remain neutral in the 2024 GOP primary, engaging with nearly every candidate in the crucial state. Trump, however, took notice of her reversal and launched his criticisms.
“She said she’s going to endorse him because he worked very hard,” Trump stated at the Saturday event, renewing his critique of the Iowa governor. “Now, how do you endorse somebody that’s 40 or 50 points down?”