On the evening of May 13, 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis made an unexpected visit to Des Moines, Iowa to meet up with Republicans. This happened after former President Trump canceled his rally at the last minute over an alleged weather concern.
DeSantis visited Jethro’s BBQ earlier. The restaurant was near where Trump was supposed to celebrate his rally.
Hours after speaking in Cedar Rapids, FL Gov. Ron DeSantis made an unscheduled stop in Des Moines – shaking hands with Iowans at a BBQ restaurant. Trump was set to hold a rally in Des Moines tonight but canceled this afternoon due to weather. @KCCINews pic.twitter.com/SCvctEBrg7
— Amanda Rooker KCCI (@ARookerKCCI) May 14, 2023
Earlier in the day, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for most of the state, which propelled the Trump campaign to cancel the rally.
That said, the weather appeared to be normal at the time Trump was supposed to give his speech at the planned venue in Des Moines, per videos posted online.
Per a Des Moines Register report, the Trump campaign released a list of roughly 150 pro-Trump activists and elected officials who endorsed the 45th president, which includes roughly a dozen state elected officials.
The pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, recently published a list of endorsements of 37 Iowa state officials.
After Donald Trump canceled his Des Moines rally for inclement weather, Ron DeSantis added an unscheduled stop at a BBQ restaurant just down the road from where Trump was set to appear. He and his wife Casey are standing on a table talking to the crowd now pic.twitter.com/Ybxz2CVgva
— Brianne Pfannenstiel (@brianneDMR) May 14, 2023
During a speech in Sioux City on May 13, DeSantis stated we have to reject a culture of losing, lead, and provide an alternative to what the Democrats are trying to sell to the American people.
However, if Republicans are ultimately not capable of doing this, then Democrats will win and Republicans are going to struggle to come back from that.
Later, DeSantis stressed that freedom is often fragile and it’s something that has to be fought for. These remarks from the Florida governor come as he’s thought to be considering a 2024 presidential run.
While DeSantis has not officially announced his presidential campaign, many experts expect him to announce his campaign to challenge Trump for the Republican nomination.
According to a Morning Consult poll published on May 9, Trump holds a 60% to 19% lead over DeSantis among Republican primary voters.
This article appeared in TheDailyBeat and has been published here with permission.
