At the Iowa State Fair, Trump skipped Gov. Kim Reynolds’ ‘fireside chat’ invitation
Once again, former President Donald Trump appeared to subtly encourage the endorsement of Republican Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on Saturday. Speaking to reporters at the Iowa state fair during a brief visit, Trump asserted that he played a crucial role in her election.
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Trump’s statement centered on his belief that he was instrumental in Reynolds’ initial election victory in 2018. Despite his efforts, Trump has openly criticized Reynolds for committing to remain impartial in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Notably, he declined an invitation from Reynolds to participate in a “fireside chat” event on that Saturday.
When a reporter inquired about Trump’s recent interactions with Governor Kim Reynolds and the rationale behind her absence, the former President responded, “I maintain a very positive relationship with her. I take credit for her election success – endorsing her and even conducting a rally during a time when her prospects were quite unfavorable.”
“We organized rallies, and through those efforts, she experienced a surge in her campaign that led to her victory instead of defeat. I have a strong affinity for her, which motivated me to actively support her through rallies,” he elaborated.
This statement marked the first instance where Trump expressed discontent with Reynolds’ neutrality since early July. During that time, he used social media to convey that he would not extend invitations to her for “events” as long as she refrained from endorsing him.
“In the past, I played a pivotal role in securing the Governor position for Kim Reynolds. When her campaign faced challenges, I wholeheartedly endorsed her, conducted significant rallies, and she emerged victorious. However, her current stance is one of ‘NEUTRALITY,'” Trump wrote in his earlier post.
Governor Reynolds extended invitations to all potential Republican presidential candidates for the 2024 election to engage in “fair-side chats” with her at the Iowa state fair this week. Notably, Trump was the sole prominent candidate who declined the offer.
Reynolds easily secured re-election with a commanding 19-point triumph in 2022. Her commitment to maintaining a neutral stance in the race for the presidential nomination aligns with the practices of past Iowa governors. This impartial approach is also mirrored by Iowa’s all-Republican congressional delegation, who are refraining from endorsing any candidate as the extensive array of 2024 presidential hopefuls converge in their state.
Across the spectrum of Republican primary polls, Trump continues to hold a commanding lead, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trailing significantly behind in second place.