Severe weather forced former President Donald Trump to cancel his Iowa rally scheduled for Saturday night, the 2024 presidential candidate announced on his social media platform Truth Social.
The former president said he was ready to go, but had to wait on standby near the Palm Beach, Florida, airport before taking off for the Hawkeye State. Trump, who was set to appear in Des Moines, ultimately had to forego the trip after several counties across the state issued a tornado warning.
‘Trump’s cancellation came as potential 2024 Republican opponent Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to announce his campaign launch any day, drew a significant crowd in Sioux Falls, Iowa.
“Unfortunately, due to the Tornado Warnings in Des Moines, we are forced to cancel today’s outdoor Rally at the Lauridsen Amphitheater,” Trump said. “Stay tuned, we will reschedule soon. Be safe out there!”
The cancellation spoils an anticipated faceoff in the crucial GOP primary state between the two Republican leaders. Trump, who consistently leads Republican primary polls by double digits, and DeSantis, who is the former president’s largest threat from within the GOP, are expected to engage in a long and dramatic GOP primary battle.
DeSantis gave the keynote address at the Feenstra Family Picnic in Sioux Center, telling the crowd of over 500 that Republicans “must reject the culture of losing that’s affected our party in recent years” and “the time for excuses is over.”
“If we make the 2024 election a referendum on Joe Biden and his failures, and if we provide a positive alternative for the future of this country, Republicans will win across the board,” the Florida governor added.
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