Despite the blizzard that hit the Midwestern state and raised fears of a turnout, the former president is moving a little closer to a possible showdown with Democrat Joe Biden, the current occupant of the White House.
According to opinion polls, Donald Trump, who has a huge lead over his opponents (almost 50% of voting intentions), predicted a “fantastic” evening for his supporters. “Trump is the dominant candidate in the Republican Party and the primary confirms this reality,” said Princeton University professor Julian E. Zelizer told AFP.
In the evening Mr. In the room where Trump was to speak, hundreds of his supporters, many of them wearing the typical red hats of Trumpists, took photos and toasted the health of their champion. Voters gathered in schools, libraries and fire stations across Iowa for popular “caucuses,” or election meetings.
After a prayer and recitation of the traditional Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, delegates gave a speech in support of their candidate before participants wrote their choice on a piece of paper.
Donald Trump called on Americans to “come together” on Monday evening, cementing his position as the right-wing favorite for the November presidential election. “I think it's time for everyone to come together in our country (…). Whether it's Republicans, Democrats, liberals or conservatives,” said the former president, who is known for his regular offensive rhetoric. Supporters in Des Moines in this midwestern state.
Joe Biden said Monday that Donald Trump's stunning victory in Iowa makes him the Republicans' “clear favorite” in the presidential race. “He is the clear favorite of the other camp at this point,” he said on the social network X, in a message calling for donations.
“A great night”, for Trump supporters
Allan Laksham, a 62-year-old voter and cardiologist, admitted he was “surprised” at the speed with which the results were announced. “It was a great night,” he enthused, adding that he wanted Mr Trump to “come back to Washington” because “he's going to help at the border” – immigration being one of the subjects that most mobilizes Republicans.
This is the first time since the 2020 election that Donald Trump will face the verdict of the electorate. This first moment of truth in the campaign carries heavy weight: If the former president doesn't pull off a declared victory in Iowa, his invincible image risks being damaged for the rest of the race.
Starting next week, a highly organized ballet of primaries will take candidates to New Hampshire, before each of the 50 states vote until June. In their view, the National Convention in July will officially nominate the Republican presidential nominee.
Republican candidate Vivek Ramasamy threw in the towel to vote for Trump
Another big issue in this important poll: second place. For now, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are fighting it out.
Ron DeSantis finished second to Nikki Haley in Monday evening's Iowa Republican primary, with Donald Trump already a clear winner, according to U.S. media projections. In this first Republican primary for the November presidential election in the United States, the current governor of Florida received about 21% of the vote, just ahead of the former US ambassador to the UN (approximately 19%).
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, the only woman running for office, has gained in recent polls. The fifty-year-old is the new darling of the right, particularly admired by business circles. As for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a forty-year-old conservative with shocking positions on immigration or abortion, he bet everything on Iowa, moving to 99 counties in recent months.
Republican candidate for the White House, Vivek Ramasamy, announced Monday evening that he was dropping out of the race and endorsing Donald Trump. “We are going to suspend this presidential campaign,” began the man who received about 7% of the vote according to provisional results. “There is no possibility of me becoming the next president. I called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory and to give him my full support for the presidency,” he added.
Julia Talerico arrived in Des Moines with moderate optimism. “I knew Trump was going to win. I wanted to help DeSantis come in second,” he explains.
“Total coffee junkie. Tv ninja. Unapologetic problem solver. Beer expert.”