Former President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on social media Sunday, suggesting that her endorsement of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will mark the end of her political career.
“If and when Kim Reynolds of Iowa endorses Ron DeSanctimonious, who is absolutely struggling in the polls in both Iowa and Nationwide, it will spell the end of her political career. MAGA supporters will never back her again, just as they won’t support DeSanctimonious,” Trump wrote in a series of fiery Truth Social posts. “Witnessing two extremely disloyal individuals joining forces is quite a spectacle. They can now be loyal to each other because no one else wants them!!!”
Sources close to both governors have confirmed that Reynolds will officially endorse DeSantis at a rally in Des Moines on Monday.
More: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to endorse Ron DeSantis for president at Monday rally in Des Moines
This endorsement is a major victory for the DeSantis campaign, as it signals to caucusgoers and donors that he is the main alternative to Trump in the upcoming presidential primary.
According to an October poll conducted by the Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom, Trump is leading among likely GOP caucusgoers with 43% choosing him as their top pick. DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley are tied for a distant second place at 16%.
It remains to be seen how much Reynolds’ endorsement will impact DeSantis’ standing. However, the Iowa Poll shows that Reynolds is highly popular among Iowa Republican caucusgoers.
In August, the same poll found that 81% had a favorable view of Reynolds, with 50% having a very favorable view. 18% viewed her unfavorably, while 1% were undecided.
In the October poll, which did not include a question about Reynolds, 69% of likely GOP caucusgoers expressed a favorable view of DeSantis, while 26% viewed him unfavorably. 5% were undecided.
Trump was viewed favorably by 66% and unfavorably by 32%, with just 1% unsure about their opinion of him.
Initially, Reynolds had stated that she would not endorse any candidate before the Iowa Caucuses, indicating her intention to welcome all contenders. However, she hinted at the possibility in interviews over the summer.
Reynolds has appeared alongside every presidential hopeful on the campaign trail, including hosting one-on-one conversations with them at the Iowa State Fair in August. However, she seemed to have a strong connection with DeSantis from the start, introducing him to Iowans during his first visit to the state in March and frequently appearing alongside him and his wife, Casey.
This close relationship has irritated Trump, who has criticized Reynolds on his Truth Social platform, in interviews, and on social media.
In another Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump claimed credit for Reynolds’ election victory in 2018, stating that he “made way for Reynolds” by appointing former Governor Terry Branstad as the U.S. Ambassador to China after winning the 2016 presidential election. Reynolds, who was Lieutenant Governor at the time, took over for Branstad and was subsequently elected in her own right in 2018 and 2022.
