Former President Donald Trump makes first Iowa visit in 2024 campaign
Former President Donald Trump spoke at an event in Davenport on Monday, marking his first trip to Iowa since announcing he was running for election in 2024.
During his speech, he first painted the picture of what he says he did in office, touching on signing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, fighting for ethanol and supporting a move to use E-15 year-round across the country.
Trump also highlighted appointing conservative justices to the Supreme Court, adding that he will cancel President Joe Biden's work on his first day in office if elected.
He then went on to tell the audience at the Adler Theatre what he would do if elected, which included support to break up the Department of Education and giving power to states, supporting school choice and protecting the border.
But, Trump is aware of the potential Republican candidates who he may face in 2024, offering his first rebuke in Iowa against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis has visited Iowa, but has not announced he's running.
"Ron DeSanctis, did anyone ever hear of DeSanctis? Desanctimonius, Ron DeSanctis strongly opposed ethanol, do you know that? We don't even know if he's running, but I might as well tell you. If he's not running I'll say, 'He was fine on ethanol. Don't worry,'" Trump said.
Trump said he would return to Iowa for more rallies. Currently, the next potential presidential candidate scheduled to make an Iowa stop is Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence, who will visit Des Moines on Saturday.