Former President Donald Trump secures a historic victory in the Iowa caucus, marking a significant step in his pursuit of a third White House bid. Trump's commanding win, with 51% of the
vote, surpasses expectations and diminishes the prospects of Nikki Haley, a favored candidate among pro-Israel Republicans. Haley, the former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador, trails in third place with 19%, behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who secured 21%.
Despite a brief acknowledgment of his opponents' efforts, Trump's decisive win underscores his dominance in the Republican primary race, posing challenges for contenders like Haley and DeSantis as they plan to contest in subsequent primaries.
The outcome disappoints some establishment Jewish donors seeking an alternative to Trump, who, despite his pro-Israel stance, faces concerns related to legal issues and his claims about the 2020 election.
Haley, despite trailing in Iowa, emphasizes her continued viability in upcoming primaries, asserting that the race has become a two-person contest. DeSantis, while securing second place, faces a challenging path forward. Democrats express anticipation of a potential 2020 rematch between Trump and Biden, highlighting Trump's influence within the Republican Party but noting a notable percentage of Iowa Republicans supporting other candidates. Photo buy Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.