PoliticoDonald Trump to head to Iowa with an eye on 2024
- The former US president plans to hold a rally in the state as he continues to tease a third run for the White House
- Trump mentioned his plans to visit Iowa during an appearance on the right-wing Todd Starnes radio show on Monday
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Meredith McGraw on politico.com on August 30, 2021.
Former President Donald Trump plans to hold a rally in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa as he continues to tease a third run for the White House.
Details for Trump’s trip are still being worked out, but it comes on the heels of visits to the state by other high profile Republicans also eyeing a run for president. This summer, a steady parade of top Republicans have held fundraisers and political events in Iowa in an effort to support the party but also rub elbows with Republican Party leadership who will prove instrumental in the early presidential caucus state.
Trump’s vice-president Mike Pence, as well as his former UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, and secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, have all travelled to Iowa this year for Republican Party fundraisers or to address conservatives in the state. So too have South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton, fuelling speculation they are testing the waters for a presidential run.
But those top Republicans and others are stuck in political limbo as Trump takes his time announcing his own plans. When asked about whether he plans to run in 2024 during recent interviews, Trump has demurred and said people “will be happy” with his decision.
Behind the scenes, however, Trump has started to lay the groundwork for a bid. Earlier this month, he hired two operatives in Iowa – Eric Branstad and Alexander Latcham – to cover a “broad political portfolio focused on advancing Save America’s goals of electing strong, Pro-Trump, America First conservatives,” according to a spokesperson.