DES MOINES, Iowa — Former president Donald Trump easily won the Iowa Republican caucuses on Monday night, taking a major step towards the 2024 Republican nomination.
“I really think this is time now for everybody, our country, to come together,” Trump said while addressing supporters in Des Moines. “Whether it’s Republican or Democrat, or liberal it would be so nice if we could come together.”
Trump was projected as the winner after 8:30 p.m. EST, with the Associated Press, CNN and Fox News being the first outlets to call the race. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will finish in second place, as he beats former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley.
“They threw everything but the kitchen sink at us,” DeSantis said. “In spite of all of that that they threw of us, everyone against us, we’ve got our ticket punched out of Iowa.”
“We have a lot of work to do, but I can tell you this: as the next President of the United States, I am going to get the job done for this country,” DeSantis added “I am not going to make any excuses. And I guarantee you this — I will not let you down.”
Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy finished in fourth place and is suspending his campaign, a source told Fwrd Axis News. He endorsed Trump at a campaign event later in the evening.
“There needs to be an America First candidate in this race,” Ramaswamy said. “Going forward, he will have my full endorsement for the presidency.”
Trump’s victory confirms what polls have said for months: the 91 criminal indictments have only strengthened his support among his base and other Republicans.
The race now heads to New Hampshire, where polls show Trump could face some pressure with Haley within striking distance in next week’s primary.
