Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made appearances at the Iowa State vs. Iowa football game on September 9, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. Both politicians were in attendance to court voters in the key early nominating state as they compete for the GOP presidential nomination.
While DeSantis has been actively campaigning in Iowa, holding town halls and engaging with voters, Trump has chosen a different approach. He skipped the first primary debate and has been focusing on large rallies and appearances, such as his stop at an Iowa State University fraternity’s tailgate.
Before the game, Trump visited the tailgate held by Alpha Gamma Rho, an agriculture fraternity. He was met with applause and cheers from the crowd, and even flipped a patty on the grill. Trump remarked on the turnout, saying, “I guess the youth likes Trump.”
DeSantis attended a tailgate hosted by the Iowa State Wrestling Club, where he was greeted by supporters chanting, “We want Ron!” He made the trip to Iowa as a guest of the political action committee Never Back Down, which has been responsible for planning many of his Iowa visits.
When asked how he distinguishes his message from Trump’s, DeSantis referenced the former president’s legal troubles and focus on the 2020 election results. He positioned himself as a candidate focused on more substantive issues and the future of the country.
During the game, Trump sat in a box suite while some attendees tried to get his attention. He left shortly after halftime, mobbed by a crowd excited to see him off. DeSantis watched the game from the stands with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and US Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
DeSantis expressed optimism about his chances in the Iowa caucuses in January, citing the work he has done and the support he has received from voters. Other Republican presidential hopefuls, including Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, were also at the stadium, taking their pitches to tailgaters.
CORRECTION: Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson was misidentified as a governor of a different state in an earlier version of this article.