Former President Donald Trump attacked Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) in anticipation of her endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron Desantis (R) in the 2024 election.
Reynolds has appeared frequently in public with DeSantis on his campaign trail.
Reynolds has introduced DeSantis at events in Iowa, and they watched a football game between rival schools, the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, alongside one another in September.
On Monday, Reynolds will formally endorse DeSantis at a rally in Des Moines.
On Sunday night, Trump declared via Truth Social, “If and when Kim Reynolds of Iowa endorses Ron DeSanctimonious, who is absolutely dying in the polls both in Iowa and Nationwide, it will be the end of her political career in that MAGA would never support her again, just as MAGA will never support DeSanctimonious again.”
He continued, “Two extremely disloyal people getting together is, however, a very beautiful thing to watch. They can now remain loyal to each other because nobody else wants them!!!”
Trump had previously criticized Reynolds in a Truth Social post in July, where he said, “I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won,” he said. “Now, she wants to remain ‘NEUTRAL.’ I don’t invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!”
Last month, the DeSantis campaign announced it would shift a third of the staff to Iowa.
DeSantis plans to visit each of the state’s 99 counties. An endorsement from Reynolds, a popular governor in her second term, presents a great opportunity for DeSantis to improve his reputation in Iowa, which he has made a focus of his campaign.
However, Trump has a sizable lead in a new poll in the state at 43%, with DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley tied for second at 16%.
Nationwide, Trump continues to have a sizable lead against other Republican candidates in the GOP primary. DeSantis trails behind Trump in a distant second place.
On Monday, Trump’s testimony at his business fraud trial in New York went off the rails as he ranted at the judge and the D.A.
