INDIANOLO, IOWA / OSLO (Dagbladet): Initially, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was supposed to hold four election meetings in the state of Iowa this weekend, but Saturday’s events were canceled due to extreme cold.
On Sunday, however, the stage is set for an appearance from the former president in the town of Indianolo.
– He has stood by us. He supports everything we support. The economy was better under him – everything was better, says Ruth Haven to Dagbladet.
– That’s why we have to win
Just after 19.10 Trump comes on stage – wearing a suit and white cap.
Trump is met with a standing ovation by the audience, who have braved the cold. He then launches into a speech he often gives at events like this.
– We have the most corrupt president ever. That is why we must win this election, says Trump.
He quickly begins to talk about what he believes is a witch-hunt against him through the legal system.
– Al Capone was indicted once. I have been prosecuted four times, says the former president, who will probably spend a large part of the election year in various court cases.
– Go home to mom
Shortly into the speech, Trump is interrupted by a protester, who accuses him of being a “climate criminal”.
– Go home to mom. It goes well. So young, he responds – to cheers from the audience, who shout “USA, USA, USA” as the protester is led out.
– It creates a bit of tension, comments Trump.
Trump did not come: – Disappointed
– Used to this
The temperature in Iowa is creeping down towards minus 30 degrees, without Haven believing that it will put a dampener on the mood.
– This is Iowa. We are used to this. There is nothing that can stop us, she says.
ON THE ROAD: Trump’s motorcade is on its way from the state capital Des Moines to Indianolo in Iowa on Sunday evening Norwegian time. Photo: AP / NTB Show more
According to Dagbladet’s reporter in Indianolo, several hundred people have turned up to cheer Trump on.
– He stands for what the US needs. He stands for American values, says voter Gene Buttrey to Dagbladet.
He believes that Trump is the only Republican candidate who can compete with incumbent President Joe Biden.
– He is the strongest candidate, says Buttrey.
Donald Trump and the other presidential candidates have all been forced to cancel events before the first nomination election in Iowa, as a result of extreme weather. The residents are disappointed. Video: Vegard Kvaale / Dagbladet TV Show more
Leads measurements
Iowa is first in the battle for who will be the presidential candidate for the Republican Party, and will hold a so-called caucus on Monday.
Unlike regular primary elections with ballots, this is a form of caucus where people have to show up in person and say who they support.
The Iowa caucus starts a long season of primaries in all US states leading up to the presidential election on November 5.
– Will be a rough ride
On Saturday evening local time, the long-awaited last poll before the election came from the local newspaper Des Moines Register. The measurement is seen as “the gold standard” for the actual election meetings there, and for possible momentum in the election campaign.
It shows that Trump still fights in a different weight class than his opponents with a support of 48 percent, admittedly down from 51 percent in December.
2024-01-14 18:22:30
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