With our special correspondent in Des Moines, David Thomson
Donald Trump canceled at the last minute. The former president ultimately did not appear on stage at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines. Yet it is the main evangelical gathering in Iowa, a key electorate in a key Republican primary state.
Julaine Appling, who heads an evangelical organization, does not hide her disappointment: “ I believe he made a mistake. We represent hundreds of thousands of people and he rejects us ».
Rise of Ron DeSantis
Julaine Appling just attended Ron DeSantis’ interview with ex-Fox news star Tucker Carlson. This Winsconsi evangelical voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020.
Today, she leans towards the ultra-conservative governor of Florida: It was the first time I saw him in person, but Ron DeSantis won me over when he talked about abortion and also when he talked about his determination to fight woke culture. He does not want to let the left impose these bad ideologies on our young people and his record proves it ».
Like her, many crusader evangelicals in Des Moines say they want to turn the page on Trump. However, the former president remains the big favorite with nearly 30 points ahead in the polls. Such a lead that Donald Trump doesn’t even deem it necessary to take part in the first televised Republican primary debate next month.
Also to listenUnited States: Does Donald Trump’s legal setbacks thwart his electoral ambitions?
2023-07-15 05:38:28
#Republican #primary #United #States #Donald #Trump #absent #large #evangelical #rally