2024-01-16 02:51:55
Published16. January 2024, 03:51
United States: Lightning victory for Trump in the Iowa Republican primary
Donald Trump won the Republican primary in Iowa on Monday January 15, 2024, according to American media projections
Getty Images via AFP
Donald Trump won the Republican primary in Iowa on Monday evening, American media announced barely half an hour following the start of voting, consolidating his status as the big favorite of the right for the November presidential election.
According to CNN, the 77-year-old mogul, four times criminally charged, leaves his main rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis far behind, even if the results are still temporary.
Despite the snowstorm that hit the Midwestern state and raised fears for participation, the ex-president is getting a little closer, even if long months still separate the country from the presidential election, a probable duel with Democrat Joe Biden, the current occupant of the White House.
Donald Trump, who according to the polls had one of the biggest leads ever seen over his opponents (nearly 50% of voting intentions), had predicted to his supporters a “terrific” evening, assuring that he would win “easily”. By 7:00 p.m. local time (01:00 GMT Tuesday), voters had gathered at schools, libraries and fire stations across Iowa for the famous “caucuses,” or election meetings.
After a prayer and a recitation of the traditional pledge of allegiance to the American flag, representatives gave a speech in favor of their champion before participants wrote their choice on a piece of paper. “I’m here for Trump, absolutely,” said Kevin Yearington, a local election official. “It was better before,” he added, complaining regarding the Biden administration. “I’m tired of paying more for groceries and gas. Inflation is out of control here.” This is the first time since the 2020 election that Donald Trump faced the judgment of voters.
Invincibility?
This first moment of truth of the campaign weighs heavily: if the former president had not obtained the announced victory in Iowa, his image of invincibility risked being damaged for the rest of the race. Starting next week, the highly orchestrated ballet of the primaries will take the candidates to New Hampshire, before, in turn, each of the 50 states votes until June. In their sights, the national convention in July, which will officially nominate the Republican presidential candidate.
Another big issue in this crucial vote: second place. For now, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are fighting it out, according to media projections. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, the only woman in the race, has benefited from a recent rise in the polls. The fifty-year-old is the new darling of the right, very appreciated in particular by business circles.
As for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a forty-year-old conservative with shocking positions on immigration or abortion, he has bet everything on Iowa, traveling in recent months to each of the 99 counties. “I ask you to come out, brave the cold and support me during the Iowa caucus,” he told his supporters Monday morning.
Froid glacial
Because a last minute unknown factor disrupted the equation: the cold. The state has been hit by a snowstorm and the thermometer is expected to touch -30°C at the time of voting, with icy roads. “The main question I get asked is whether the vote is canceled,” warned Maci Arjes, head of a group of young Republicans at her university in Iowa City.
Donald Trump wants to knock out the competition at all costs to ensure his victory before his trials begin – some of which put him at risk of prison. The Republican will experience an extraordinary year in every way, punctuated by comings and goings between the courts and the platforms of meetings.
Already strong in the official support of his party, outgoing President Joe Biden should, barring any major surprises, be designated in August as their candidate. And this despite repeated criticism of the age of the octogenarian leader.
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