The atmosphere at the Iowa State Fair was electric with anticipation. Fairgoers were filled with excitement, eagerly waiting for the appearance of former President Donald Trump at the Steer ‘N Stein restaurant. The crowd stretched as far as the eye could see, as not everyone could fit inside the restaurant. Outside, they formed a massive group of enthusiastic and perspiring Iowans. Finally, when Trump emerged, the crowd was so dense that his silhouette was barely visible through the open side of the restaurant.
Trump’s voice echoed through the speakers above, exclaiming, “You know, the other candidates came here, and they had like six people.” The audience responded with boisterous cheers and applause.
In American politics, a visit to the Iowa State Fair is an essential rite of passage for anyone aspiring to be the President of the United States, at least for Republican candidates. It serves as a crucial test for their appeal to Iowa’s discerning voters and acts as a launching pad for success in the caucuses and potentially the White House. Occasionally, a dark horse candidate can work the crowds and gain an unexpected advantage, as Rick Santorum did in 2012 and Ted Cruz did in 2016.
The fair is a place where politicians charm and are charmed in return. Mike Pence, answering questions from Republican Governor Kim Reynolds at one of several “Fair-Side Chats,” garnered praise from attendees. Shirley Burgess from Des Moines commented, “He’s really very engaging. I thought he delivers a much clearer message in person than what I’m getting from him on TV.”
However, not everyone at the fair was enamored with Trump. Charles Dunlap, a two-time Trump voter from Johnston, Iowa, expressed his frustration, stating, “Everything out of his mouth is like, ‘Shut up, Donald.'” Dunlap was eager to hear from candidates like Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, who he believed would bring similar policies without the drama that Trump often brought.
The fair’s enchantment and promise of thoughtful consideration dissipated when Trump arrived. It became apparent that the Trump-weary and change-seeking Iowans I had encountered earlier were in the minority. The majority of people still adored Trump. The fairground came to a standstill as everyone anticipated where Trump would appear. The unplanned event caused annoyance among those who had just wanted to enjoy their fair experience.
Trump’s commanding lead in the GOP primary polls explained the fervor surrounding his presence. However, the sight and feeling of it in person were different. The crowds gathered for other Republican candidates paled in comparison. Suddenly, the entire GOP primary contest seemed futile and pathetic. The also-rans were enduring the hardships of the campaign trail for a chance at being Trump’s running mate. Was the potential reward worth it?
The fairgoers had no qualms expressing their opinions about the various candidates. As Mike Pence flipped pork burgers in the sun, whispers spread in the crowd, with comments like, “Look at him sweat” and dismissive remarks about him and Ron DeSantis. Vivek Ramaswamy, eager to make a non-dweeb impression, confidently rapped to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” while DeSantis faced taunts during his burger flipping. The arrival of Trump brought more humiliation for DeSantis, with a group of Florida lawmakers endorsing Trump over him.
Despite the challenges, DeSantis’s campaign hopes that the humiliation will pay off, especially in Iowa, where he has a closer connection to Trump. Trump’s people were criticized for lacking a strong ground game, unlike candidates like Ted Cruz in 2016 and DeSantis now. As the anticipation grew, someone nearby pointed to the sky, where a plane bearing the word “TRUMP” was heading towards the nearby airport. The excitement among the crowd escalated, with people sharing stories of their encounters with Trump.
Trump’s arrival at the fair marked a momentous occasion for his supporters, who revered him as a legendary figure. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, as the man himself had landed.
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