MARION, Iowa — It's a crucial state in Iowa, but former President Donald Trump, the likely frontrunner in next week's Republican caucuses, is largely absent.
Trump, 77, has used high-profile surrogate mothers, including his eldest son Don Jr. Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake. Former HUD Secretary Ben Carson is typically busy elsewhere dealing with four pending criminal cases, while picking up space on his campaign trail.
In fact, tracking data kept by the company shows that President Trump appeared at or scheduled only 25 events in Iowa from late March 2021 to January 18, 2021. It was revealed. des moines register.
By comparison, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley held 85 events, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held 140 events, and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy held 315 events.
The former president's supporters don't care.
“It's amazing to me how much he's doing with all the corruption and attacks and legal malpractice going on,” Carson said Thursday at Grace Baptist Church here. Jill Rowell, 60, told the Post at a faith event where she served as a liner.
“He can only be in one place at a time,” agreed Julie Wolfe, 56. And he lost his family. ”
President Trump was in Iowa Wednesday night to participate in a Fox News town hall, but is not scheduled to return until the weekend, which includes four so-called “caucus participation” events in quick succession (Saturday). (two on Sunday and two on Sunday).
On Tuesday, Trump appeared at a federal appeals court hearing in Washington, where his lawyers presented arguments for dropping charges that he illegally tried to stay in office after Joe Biden lost the 2020 election. presented.
That night, former first lady Melania Trump announced that her mother, Amalia Knabs, had died at the age of 78.
On Thursday, the former president was in New York to attend closing arguments in a civil fraud trial. President Trump briefly addressed the judge, saying he had “done nothing wrong” but was “persecuted.”
Trump is not a fan of traditional politics, famously flying around the country in his signature Boeing 757 to hold large rallies during his 2016 White House campaign.
As a former president, Trump's events will require a more sophisticated logistics plan, including support from the Secret Service.
And unlike 2016, when Trump narrowly lost the caucuses to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), polls show him leading by double digits over his two closest rivals this time around. They can choose to participate in election activities while avoiding each of them. Of the five debates held so far.
“I don't want him to say bad things about these people,” Steve O'Connell, 75, said of other Republicans in the race. “Don't waste your time talking bad about these guys. This is wrong. You're going to win, move on.
“He's already done that and I'm very happy with the direction he's going.”
Dale Manders, 64, agreed, asking about the debate: “Why waste your time on that?”
By having a list of surrogates in place, Mr. Trump was able to enjoy the benefits of campaigning through surrogates.
“[Trump] I'm very similar philosophically. Personality-wise, we're very different,” Carson told reporters after an event Thursday in Marion, two hours northeast of Des Moines.
“Of course, it would be great if he could participate in the campaign. And we know that since 2016, he's been a tireless activist,” Carson added. “So they’re interfering with him and interfering with the election.”
