Donald Trump dominates Iowa caucus, Ron DeSantis edges Nikki Haley for second place
- Donald Trump asserts his dominance over the Republican Party as he seeks a third consecutive nomination
- Ron DeSantis beats Nikki Haley for second place, as Vivek Ramaswamy ends long-shot presidential bid
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Trump clinches Iowa caucus as he seeks third consecutive nomination for US presidential election
Donald Trump secured a resounding victory in the first 2024 Republican presidential contest in Iowa, asserting his command over the party despite facing scores of criminal charges as he seeks a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 45, finished well behind in second place, edging out former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, 51, as they battle to emerge as the chief alternative to Trump.
Trump, 77, won by an unprecedented margin for an Iowa Republican contest, strengthening his case that his nomination is a foregone conclusion given his massive lead in national polls.
Trump, who has repeatedly vowed vengeance against his political opponents in recent months, offered a message of unity in a victory speech Monday night.
“We want to come together, whether it’s Republican or Democrat or liberal or conservative,” Trump said. “We’re going to come together. It’s going to happen soon.”
With 99 per cent of the expected vote tallied by Tuesday, Trump had 51 per cent, while DeSantis was at 21.2 per cent and Haley 19.1 per cent, according to Edison Research.