The Iowa caucuses held Monday night marked the first votes cast in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
Former President Donald Trump was projected the winner shortly after caucusing began at 7:00 p.m. CT. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was projected to come in second place, while former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley was expected to finish in third place.
Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ― who suspended his campaign on Wednesday ― were also on the Republican ballot. (The Associated Press has more on how caucuses work.) Ramaswamy dropped out of the race after most votes were counted.
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Frigid temperatures were likely a factor in Monday’s turnout. The National Weather Service issued a wind chill warning, noting temperatures could feel “in the 20s or 30s below zero, even during the day.”
The days ahead of the caucuses were also plagued by extreme cold, high winds and heavy snow. Trump canceled almost all his in-person events over the weekend but encouraged supporters to caucuses “even if you vote and then pass away.” Haley and DeSantis also canceled or adjusted events due to severe weather.
Read live updates on the caucuses below:
Pinned
Key Things To Know About The Iowa Caucuses
Here are key things to know about Monday’s Iowa caucuses:
- Trump is the projected winner, commanding a clear majority of the vote. He struck a relatively subdued note in his victory remarks, even congratulating his rivals and describing them as "very smart, very capable people."
- DeSantis is expected to finish in a distant second place, followed by Haley in third. Both candidates vowed to stay in the race for next week’s New Hampshire primary: DeSantis said he “got [his] ticket punched out of Iowa,” while Haley declared “Iowa made this Republican primary a two-person race” between her and Trump.
- Turnout appeared to be way down from Iowa's last contested Republican caucus in 2016. Some estimates showed turnout dropped by as many as 50,000 voters.
- After a lackluster performance in Iowa, Ramaswamy announced he’s suspending his presidential campaign. He immediately endorsed Trump.
- Our live results map has a county-by-county breakdown of votes.
Next Up: New Hampshire Primary
That's a wrap on our live coverage of the Iowa caucuses. For more on the 2024 race, please head to HuffPost.com.
We'll be back next Tuesday for the New Hampshire primary.
We'll be back next Tuesday for the New Hampshire primary.
New Hampshire Republican Primary Debate Canceled
ABC News has canceled its Republican primary debate planned on Thursday in New Hampshire, as only Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed to show up."Our intent was to host a debate coming out of the Iowa caucuses, but we always knew that would be contingent on the candidates and the outcome of the race," an ABC News rep said in a statement. "As a result, while our robust election coverage will continue, ABC News and WMUR-TV will not be moving forward with Thursday’s Republican presidential primary debate in New Hampshire."
Team Trump Dismisses GOP Debate
ABC News Needs Debate Commitments
Semafor's Max Tani reports ABC News and WMUR-TV gave Trump and Haley until 5 p.m. EST Tuesday to commit to a debate planned for Thursday. The networks "will update our plans accordingly" after learning who will participate.
Key Moment
Associated Press
Asa Hutchinson Drops Out
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson dropped out of the race Tuesday after finishing sixth in the caucuses.
"I stand by the campaign I ran," he said in a statement, noting his "message of being a principled Republican with experience and telling the truth about the current front runner did not sell in Iowa."
Read more here.
"I stand by the campaign I ran," he said in a statement, noting his "message of being a principled Republican with experience and telling the truth about the current front runner did not sell in Iowa."
Read more here.
DeSantis Says He Looks Forward To 'Debating Two Empty Podiums' In New Hampshire
DeSantis took issue with Haley's announcement that she plans to skip any further debates unless Trump agrees to show up.
"The reality is that she is not running for the nomination, she’s running to be Trump’s VP," DeSantis wrote on social media. "I won’t snub New Hampshire voters like both Nikki Haley and Donald Trump, and plan to honor my commitments. I look forward to debating two empty podiums in the Granite State this week."
"The reality is that she is not running for the nomination, she’s running to be Trump’s VP," DeSantis wrote on social media. "I won’t snub New Hampshire voters like both Nikki Haley and Donald Trump, and plan to honor my commitments. I look forward to debating two empty podiums in the Granite State this week."
DeSantis Will Take Part In CNN Town Hall Tonight
Ron DeSantis is expected to take part in a CNN town hall Tuesday evening hosted by Wolf Blitzer in Henniker, New Hampshire, a week ahead of the state's primary contest.
The audience will consist of people who plan to vote in New Hampshire's GOP primary, the network said Friday.
The audience will consist of people who plan to vote in New Hampshire's GOP primary, the network said Friday.
Haley Suggests She Won't Take Part In Any More Debates Unless Trump Joins
Nikki Haley, who came in third in last night's caucuses, suggested she'll skip any further Republican primary debates this cycle unless Trump joins her on stage.
"Unfortunately, Donald Trump has ducked all of [the debates]," Haley wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Tuesday morning. "He has nowhere left to hide. The next debate I do will either be with Donald Trump or with Joe Biden."
ABC News is scheduled to host a GOP primary debate on Thursday in New Hampshire, while CNN had announced one for Sunday. The qualifying period for CNN's event is set to close today.
It's unclear if those two debates will still go ahead.
"Unfortunately, Donald Trump has ducked all of [the debates]," Haley wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Tuesday morning. "He has nowhere left to hide. The next debate I do will either be with Donald Trump or with Joe Biden."
ABC News is scheduled to host a GOP primary debate on Thursday in New Hampshire, while CNN had announced one for Sunday. The qualifying period for CNN's event is set to close today.
It's unclear if those two debates will still go ahead.
Joy Reid Doesn't Hold Back On DeSantis
MSNBC's Joy Reid took the time for some in-depth analysis of DeSantis' prospects after his second-place finish in Iowa.
“I think we must remark upon the absolute tragedy of Ron DeSantis as a human being as a politician,” she said.
“I think we must remark upon the absolute tragedy of Ron DeSantis as a human being as a politician,” she said.
'People Want To Run A Race That Doesn't Exist': Ex-RNC Chair
Michael Steele, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, says none of Trump's rivals can do anything to stop him from getting the nomination, dismissing any suggestions that things could change in the upcoming primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
“I think people need to be realistic about whose party this is,” Steele told MSNBC’s Jen Psaki. “People want to run a race that doesn’t exist and you just need to stop it and recognize the facts.”
“I think people need to be realistic about whose party this is,” Steele told MSNBC’s Jen Psaki. “People want to run a race that doesn’t exist and you just need to stop it and recognize the facts.”
Trump Is On The Minds Of World Leaders In Davos
World leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum this week are concerned about the prospect of Trump returning to the White House, especially after his strong showing in Iowa, Politico reports.
Iowa Gov Says She'll Back Trump If He's The Nominee
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who has endorsed Ron DeSantis in the GOP primary, said she'll support Trump if he ends up being the party's nominee for president, despite the insults he's thrown at her.
“I’m a Republican and, you know, all of the candidates running are gonna be better than what we have,” she told Fox News.
“I’m a Republican and, you know, all of the candidates running are gonna be better than what we have,” she told Fox News.
Biden Fundraises Off Trump Win
President Joe Biden responded to the Iowa result, saying Trump is "the clear front runner on the other side."
"This election was always going to be you and me vs. extreme MAGA Republicans," he wrote in a post on X.
He included a link to donate to the Biden-Harris campaign to "to help push back against MAGA extremism."
"This election was always going to be you and me vs. extreme MAGA Republicans," he wrote in a post on X.
He included a link to donate to the Biden-Harris campaign to "to help push back against MAGA extremism."
Trump Set To Travel From Iowa To Trial
It's a busy week for Trump. Fresh off his caucus win in Iowa, he's expected to attend a trial in New York today that will determine how much more money he owes the writer E. Jean Carroll. A different jury has already awarded Carroll money after concluding that Trump sexually abused her in the 1990s and then defamed her by claiming she lied about it.
Rachel Maddow Shares An Uncomfortable Truth For Trump Supporters
MSNBC host Rachel Maddow reminded viewers that despite Trump having solid support among the GOP, his supporters shouldn't overlook the very real possibility of him getting convicted.
'Theoretically, This Thing Is All Over': GOP Strategist
Ryan Rhodes, a longtime GOP Iowa strategist, told Politico the Republican presidential primary contest may be over before it even really began as none of Trump's challengers managed to score around or above 30% of the vote.
“Theoretically, this thing is all over," Rhodes said.
“Theoretically, this thing is all over," Rhodes said.
News Outlets Face Backlash For Making Early Call In Iowa: The New York Times
Several news organizations declared Trump the winner about half an hour into the caucuses, before many Iowans even had a chance to vote, The New York Times reports.
While the move was criticized by Trump's opponents and appeared to spread confusion among voters, news organizations followed standard procedure, the Times' Michael M. Grynbaum explains.
While the move was criticized by Trump's opponents and appeared to spread confusion among voters, news organizations followed standard procedure, the Times' Michael M. Grynbaum explains.
'Ron DeSantis Doesn't Have It'
Jane Coaston, a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, said the quiet part out loud when it comes to one of the biggest challenges DeSantis faces in taking on Trump.
“Ron DeSantis doesn’t have it,” Coaston told CNN. “And whatever that is, that’s what Trump has.”
“Ron DeSantis doesn’t have it,” Coaston told CNN. “And whatever that is, that’s what Trump has.”
Key Moment
5 Takeaways From The Iowa Caucuses
Trump's rivals missed a big opportunity tonight to knock the former president, the front-runner in the race, off his pedestal. HuffPost's Kevin Robillard and Igor Bobic share their biggest takeaways from the Iowa caucuses, ahead of the New Hampshire primary set to take place next week.
No, Donald Trump Did Not Win The Iowa Caucuses For The Third Time
In fact, he lost to Ted Cruz during his first run in 2016. He went on to win the presidency that year, but Trump bolstered his record during a speech to his supporters on Monday after his victory Monday in Iowa.
“This is the third time we’ve won, but this is the biggest win,” he said in Des Moines.
It was actually his second win, and also, based on vote numbers, not the biggest. He trounced former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld in 2020 when he won more than 97% of the vote.
“This is the third time we’ve won, but this is the biggest win,” he said in Des Moines.
It was actually his second win, and also, based on vote numbers, not the biggest. He trounced former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld in 2020 when he won more than 97% of the vote.
Vivek Ramaswamy Says He Will Do ‘Everything I Can’ To Elect Donald Trump
Ramaswamy took to X to champion his campaign as an effort to speak “the TRUTH” after he suspended his bid for the presidency on Monday night.
“We did not achieve our goal tonight & we need an America-First patriot in the White House,” he wrote. “The people spoke loud & clear about who they want.”
Ramaswamy added that he would do everything he could to help elect Trump to another term in office. Earlier in the night, he called for Haley and DeSantis to drop out of the race, saying it would be "healthy for this country and for our party.”
“We did not achieve our goal tonight & we need an America-First patriot in the White House,” he wrote. “The people spoke loud & clear about who they want.”
Ramaswamy added that he would do everything he could to help elect Trump to another term in office. Earlier in the night, he called for Haley and DeSantis to drop out of the race, saying it would be "healthy for this country and for our party.”
AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Nikki Haley: ‘Iowa Has Made This A 2-Person Race’
Haley cheered her showing in Iowa on Monday night, despite her projected third-place finish. She said voters had declared the GOP primary battle a race between two candidates, presumably herself and Trump.
“At one point in this campaign there were 14 of us running. I was at 2% in the polls, but Iowa did what Iowa always does so well,” Haley said. “When you look at how we’re doing, in New Hampshire, in South Carolina and beyond … tonight Iowa made this Republican primary a two-person race.”
The former governor referenced her strong polling in New Hampshire, saying she still believed voters would realize the party deserved “new conservative leadership” rather than another Trump term.
“I have one thing to say: Underestimate me, because that’s always fun,” she added.
“At one point in this campaign there were 14 of us running. I was at 2% in the polls, but Iowa did what Iowa always does so well,” Haley said. “When you look at how we’re doing, in New Hampshire, in South Carolina and beyond … tonight Iowa made this Republican primary a two-person race.”
The former governor referenced her strong polling in New Hampshire, saying she still believed voters would realize the party deserved “new conservative leadership” rather than another Trump term.
“I have one thing to say: Underestimate me, because that’s always fun,” she added.
Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Ron DeSantis: ‘We’ve Got Our Ticket Punched Out Of Iowa’
DeSantis celebrated his projected second-place victory during a speech Monday night, saying his showing behind Trump represented a victory for his campaign.
“Everyone against us, we’ve got our ticket punched out of Iowa,” the Florida governor declared. “People want to have hope for this country’s future, and that’s what we represent.”
He added those who cast ballots in his favor wanted to “give this country a new birth of freedom and a restoration of sanity.”
“So we have our marching orders,” DeSantis added.
“Everyone against us, we’ve got our ticket punched out of Iowa,” the Florida governor declared. “People want to have hope for this country’s future, and that’s what we represent.”
He added those who cast ballots in his favor wanted to “give this country a new birth of freedom and a restoration of sanity.”
“So we have our marching orders,” DeSantis added.
More On Vivek Ramaswamy Suspending His Campaign
Ramaswamy has officially ended his long shot campaign for president. Read more here:
Ron DeSantis Pulls Through To Second In Iowa
Read more on DeSantis's road to second place in Iowa:
AP
Reports: Vivek Ramaswamy Dropping Out Of Presidential Race
Ramaswamy is ending his campaign after a lackluster performance in Iowa, Bloomberg and CNN report.
AP
AP: Ron DeSantis To Finish Second In Iowa
AP and Fox News project DeSantis will finish in 2nd place in the GOP Iowa caucus.
AP
Donald Trump Celebrates Victory In Iowa
Trump spoke to supporters in Des Moines, Iowa, just before 10 p.m. local time.
He was uncharacteristically subdued at the top of his speech, calling for the country to “come together,” and congratulating his rivals.
“I think they both actually did very well,” he said of DeSantis and Haley, adding that Ramaswamy “did a hell of a job.”
“Very smart, very capable people,” Trump said.
He also thanked his wife, Melania, and his five children by name.
Later in his remarks, he took a few digs at President Joe Biden.
"I don't want to be overly rough on the president," he said. "But I have to say that he is the worst president that we've had in the history of our country."
He continued: "Jimmy Carter is happy now, because he will go down as being a brilliant president by comparison to Joe Biden."
He was uncharacteristically subdued at the top of his speech, calling for the country to “come together,” and congratulating his rivals.
“I think they both actually did very well,” he said of DeSantis and Haley, adding that Ramaswamy “did a hell of a job.”
“Very smart, very capable people,” Trump said.
He also thanked his wife, Melania, and his five children by name.
Later in his remarks, he took a few digs at President Joe Biden.
"I don't want to be overly rough on the president," he said. "But I have to say that he is the worst president that we've had in the history of our country."
He continued: "Jimmy Carter is happy now, because he will go down as being a brilliant president by comparison to Joe Biden."
CNN Reports Ron DeSantis Will Stay In The Race After Iowa
AP Photo
Marjorie Taylor Greene Arrives At Trump Party
Among those in the crowd at Trump's victory party: Florida Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Donald Trump Super PAC Tells Other GOP Contenders: ‘Stop Wasting Time’
Make America Great Again Inc., a super PAC that supports the former president, said the results Monday night sent a clear message: “Donald Trump will be the next Republican nominee.”
The group called on Trump’s three closest competitors to drop out after the caucuses.
“Every dollar spent by President Trump’s primary losers is a dollar that could be fighting Joe Biden,” Alex Pfeiffer, the communications director for MAGA Inc., said in a statement. “Once the DC RINOs are finished crying in their cocktails over tonights results, it’s time for Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy to face reality and stop wasting time and resources.”
The group called on Trump’s three closest competitors to drop out after the caucuses.
“Every dollar spent by President Trump’s primary losers is a dollar that could be fighting Joe Biden,” Alex Pfeiffer, the communications director for MAGA Inc., said in a statement. “Once the DC RINOs are finished crying in their cocktails over tonights results, it’s time for Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy to face reality and stop wasting time and resources.”
Entrance Poll: Trump Dominates Among Election Deniers
Trump dominated among the nearly two-thirds of the electorate who falsely believe Biden didn’t win the 2020 presidential election, racking up 69% of their votes. Among the 31% who do believe Biden won, he earned just 9% of the vote, compared to Haley’s 54% and DeSantis’ 9%.
Here are a few other takeaways from the early iteration of the entrance polls conducted by major media organizations:
Here are a few other takeaways from the early iteration of the entrance polls conducted by major media organizations:
- A narrow majority of the people who voted in tonight’s caucuses do not consider themselves members of the MAGA movement. Fifty-one percent of the voters don’t consider themselves MAGA, and just 25% of those people backed Trump. By comparison, among the 44% who considered themselves MAGA, 44% backed Trump.
- While Iowa Democrats were famously obsessed with electability in 2020, their GOP counterparts cared much less about it this time around: just 14% of caucus-goers said their major priority was beating Biden, compared to 41% who said it was important to find a candidate who shares their values and 31% who said it was about finding a candidate who fights for people like them.
- Trump won a majority of voters who said their most important issue was either the economy or immigration. Haley won among those who said foreign policy was their most important issue, and DeSantis dominated among voters prioritizing abortion. Tellingly, those prioritizing the economy and immigration made up 71% of the electorate.
Biden Fundraises Off Trump's Win
President Joe Biden's campaign sent out a fundraising appeal shortly after several media outlets projected Trump to win the Iowa Caucuses, calling him the "official frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination."
Trump's Win Called So Early No One Was Even At His Victory Party Yet
The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey reports that networks called the race so early in the night that Trump and his supporters hadn't yet had a chance to gather in Des Moines:
DeSantis Speaks To Caucus Attendees As Trump Wins
The Daily Beast's Jake Lahut said DeSantis gave an abbreviated speech at one caucus site after the race was quickly called for Trump.
'Election Interference': DeSantis Campaign Not Happy About Early Iowa Calls
Andrew Romeo, DeSantis’s communications director, said Monday it was “outrageous” for the media to declare Trump the winner of the Iowa caucuses before many Iowans had even voted.
“Absolutely outrageous that the media would participate in election interference by calling the race before tens of thousands of Iowans even had a chance to vote,” Romeo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The media is in the tank for Trump and this is the most egregious example yet.”
Another DeSantis staffer said the calls were “irresponsible and unacceptable.”
“Absolutely outrageous that the media would participate in election interference by calling the race before tens of thousands of Iowans even had a chance to vote,” Romeo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The media is in the tank for Trump and this is the most egregious example yet.”
Another DeSantis staffer said the calls were “irresponsible and unacceptable.”
AP Photo
It Looks Like A Lot Less People Turned Out For Caucuses This Year
NBC News is projecting Monday’s Republican caucus turnout to be roughly 130,000 voters. That’s a significant drop from the last contested GOP primary in 2016, when 186,874 Iowa Republicans cast ballots at their local caucuses.
That’s not a huge surprise given the weather conditions in Iowa, where temperatures are currently dipping below zero.
That’s not a huge surprise given the weather conditions in Iowa, where temperatures are currently dipping below zero.
Trump, Jr. Speculates About Running For Office
Donald Trump, Jr. weighed whether he should run for office himself during a sparsely attended campaign event for his father in Ankeny, Iowa.
"I will continue to fight no matter what," Trump, Jr. said, in video circulated by right-wing TV channel Real America's Voice. "The question is, 'Do you want the day job of actually doing it?'"
"When I look at some of these morons in Congress, I'm like, 'Oh yeah, I'm going to sit there with 435 of these Congressmen,'" he said before grimacing. "I almost feel like I can do more outside of that."
Trump, Jr. described visiting Communist-era Czechoslovakia as a child and attending boarding school in central Pennsylvania amid "formerly great" industrial giants, saying they were formative experiences that drove him to work for political change, whatever the capacity.
"You know, I got it!" Trump, Jr. said. "I'm an unlikely person to understand these things, but sort of by dumb luck it fell into there."
"I will continue to fight no matter what," Trump, Jr. said, in video circulated by right-wing TV channel Real America's Voice. "The question is, 'Do you want the day job of actually doing it?'"
"When I look at some of these morons in Congress, I'm like, 'Oh yeah, I'm going to sit there with 435 of these Congressmen,'" he said before grimacing. "I almost feel like I can do more outside of that."
Trump, Jr. described visiting Communist-era Czechoslovakia as a child and attending boarding school in central Pennsylvania amid "formerly great" industrial giants, saying they were formative experiences that drove him to work for political change, whatever the capacity.
"You know, I got it!" Trump, Jr. said. "I'm an unlikely person to understand these things, but sort of by dumb luck it fell into there."
Trump's Next Stop: Court In New York
Trump Wins Even After Jan. 6
Donald Trump, who three years ago attempted a violent coup to remain in the White House and now faces decades in prison for it, nevertheless comfortably won the first nominating contest in the 2024 Republican presidential race at the Iowa caucuses on Monday as he seeks to regain his old job.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Donald Trump Tells Caucusgoers He Thinks He ‘Deserves’ Their Votes
Trump made an unannounced visit to a caucus site in Clive, Iowa, on Monday.
"I would appreciate your vote. I think I deserve it,” the former president said. “We were a great country three years ago and today people are laughing at us! I just want to thank everybody. Get out and vote!"
Ramaswamy was also in the room preparing to speak.
"I would appreciate your vote. I think I deserve it,” the former president said. “We were a great country three years ago and today people are laughing at us! I just want to thank everybody. Get out and vote!"
Ramaswamy was also in the room preparing to speak.
Key Moment
Trump Wins 2024 Iowa Caucus
Trump is the projected winner of the 2024 Iowa caucuses.
Different Vibes At The Haley And DeSantis Watch Parties
On The Scene In West Des Moines
We'll Get Some Caucus Action Soon
The caucuses officially kicked off at 8 p.m. EST, but votes don't happen immediately. There are some procedural things that happen first, and people give speeches on behalf of the candidates, as The Guardian's Sam Levine reports from a precinct in Cedar Rapids:
A Majority Of Iowa Caucusgoers Are MAGA Supporters: AP
A majority of voters in Iowa said they believe in the ideals behind “Make America Great Again,” according to an Associated Press survey of 1,500 GOP voters who said they planned to take part in tonight’s caucuses.
About 6 in 10 of those surveyed said they believe the country needs significant change, and said they supported Trump’s MAGA movement. And about three quarters said they believed Trump’s whirlwind of indictments and criminal charges are politically motivated and not legitimate.
About 4 in 10 GOP caucusgoers said immigration was the most important issue in America, while about one-third said it was the economy. About 9 in 10 told the AP they backed building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The AP has much more here.
About 6 in 10 of those surveyed said they believe the country needs significant change, and said they supported Trump’s MAGA movement. And about three quarters said they believed Trump’s whirlwind of indictments and criminal charges are politically motivated and not legitimate.
About 4 in 10 GOP caucusgoers said immigration was the most important issue in America, while about one-third said it was the economy. About 9 in 10 told the AP they backed building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The AP has much more here.
Follow Along For Live Results From Iowa
The Iowa caucuses are now officially underway. Follow along with our live results map as votes start to trickle in this evening:
Parts Of Iowa To Be -20 To -30 Degrees With Wind Chill: NWS
It’s still extremely cold in Iowa as voters head to caucus sites around the state before the voting begins. The National Weather Service said bitterly cold wind chills will remain into midweek, with overnight temperatures plummeting to the negative 20s and 30s with wind chills.
“Arctic cold air has settled into the area with temperatures below zero and accompanying wind chills often near or in the 20s or 30s below zero, even during the day,” the NWS in Des Moines wrote. “This extreme Arctic air combined with breezy winds at times will continue to create dangerously cold conditions into Tuesday, with wind chill values as low as 35 below zero.”
“Arctic cold air has settled into the area with temperatures below zero and accompanying wind chills often near or in the 20s or 30s below zero, even during the day,” the NWS in Des Moines wrote. “This extreme Arctic air combined with breezy winds at times will continue to create dangerously cold conditions into Tuesday, with wind chill values as low as 35 below zero.”
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
How Do The Iowa Caucuses Work?
Iowa’s caucuses are run by the state’s Democratic and Republican Parties.
At 7 p.m. local time, GOP voters will head to more than 1,600 locations — schools, community centers, town halls — to cast an in-person (and only in-person!) ballot to select the state’s choice for a Republican nominee.
Voters in the GOP caucuses must be registered Republicans and 18 at the time of the November election. Supporters for each candidate will have a chance to speak about their ideal nominee in an attempt to sway any undecided voters before selecting a candidate via secret ballot, which is usually written on a blank piece of paper.
Workers on-site then tally up the votes and report the results, which will be published on the Iowa Republican Party website. Expect an outcome sometime Monday night.
Democrats will do things differently: They are also holding caucuses on Monday, but only for other party business. Voting for a nominee will take place by mail: Interested voters can request a ballot until Feb. 19 and must mail them back by March 5.
At 7 p.m. local time, GOP voters will head to more than 1,600 locations — schools, community centers, town halls — to cast an in-person (and only in-person!) ballot to select the state’s choice for a Republican nominee.
Voters in the GOP caucuses must be registered Republicans and 18 at the time of the November election. Supporters for each candidate will have a chance to speak about their ideal nominee in an attempt to sway any undecided voters before selecting a candidate via secret ballot, which is usually written on a blank piece of paper.
Workers on-site then tally up the votes and report the results, which will be published on the Iowa Republican Party website. Expect an outcome sometime Monday night.
Democrats will do things differently: They are also holding caucuses on Monday, but only for other party business. Voting for a nominee will take place by mail: Interested voters can request a ballot until Feb. 19 and must mail them back by March 5.
Getty
What Trump Did Today
Trump met with his campaign advisers in Des Moines on Monday.
Getty
Iowans Check Out DeSantis
People listened as DeSantis spoke at Pub 52 in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, on Monday.
Trump Claims He's Won The Caucuses Twice. That's Wrong.
Trump expressed confidence he would have a “great night in a fantastic place” tonight as the caucus results come in.
“We’ve won it twice as you know … and I think we’re going to have a tremendous night,” the former president said while leaving a hotel in Des Moines. “The people are fantastic and I’ve never seen spirit like they have.”
Trump actually lost the Iowa caucuses to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in 2016. He won overwhelmingly in 2020 as there were no other major GOP contenders.
“We’ve won it twice as you know … and I think we’re going to have a tremendous night,” the former president said while leaving a hotel in Des Moines. “The people are fantastic and I’ve never seen spirit like they have.”
Trump actually lost the Iowa caucuses to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in 2016. He won overwhelmingly in 2020 as there were no other major GOP contenders.
Illinois Governor Has Some Choice Words About The GOP Candidates
JB Pritzker, one of the country’s more progressive governors, appeared Monday in Des Moines alongside Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith on behalf of the Biden campaign.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the GOP caucuses, Pritzker said there is virtually no difference between the Republican candidates “when it comes to what it means for working families, and for all Americans who want a better life for themselves and for their communities.”
“Tonight’s contest is simply a question of whether you like your MAGA Trump agenda wrapped in the original packaging, or with high heels or lifts in their boots,” he said, referring to the rumor that DeSantis uses heel-lifting footwear to appear taller.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the GOP caucuses, Pritzker said there is virtually no difference between the Republican candidates “when it comes to what it means for working families, and for all Americans who want a better life for themselves and for their communities.”
“Tonight’s contest is simply a question of whether you like your MAGA Trump agenda wrapped in the original packaging, or with high heels or lifts in their boots,” he said, referring to the rumor that DeSantis uses heel-lifting footwear to appear taller.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Donald Trump Campaign Hands Out New Batch Of Hats For ‘Caucus Captains’
The Trump campaign has rolled out a new, limited-edition run of hats for precinct captains at tonight's caucuses. The white and gold caps read “TRUMP CAUCUS CAPTAIN” and are meant to excite first-time caucusgoers.
Politico reports the Trump captains were required to attend hourlong trainings and are supposed to bring ten people with them who plan to support the former president. Precinct captains will also give a short speech for their preferred candidate during the caucuses tonight, and are key supporters for those vying for the GOP nomination.
Read more here.
Politico reports the Trump captains were required to attend hourlong trainings and are supposed to bring ten people with them who plan to support the former president. Precinct captains will also give a short speech for their preferred candidate during the caucuses tonight, and are key supporters for those vying for the GOP nomination.
Read more here.
Meanwhile, Here’s What Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Are Up To
While Republicans put their focus on the Iowa caucuses, Biden and Harris are spending Monday attending events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The vice president delivered the keynote address at the NAACP South Carolina State Conference, where she spoke of King’s legacy and encouraged all Americans to continue fighting against attacks on basic freedoms. Harris then attended a campaign event at a local restaurant before visiting the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team at the Colonial Life Arena.
Biden volunteered at a food bank called Philabundance, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Monday marks the third year that the president has volunteered at the Philly organization. He did not respond to shouted questions from reporters about whether he will watch the Republican caucuses tonight.
The vice president delivered the keynote address at the NAACP South Carolina State Conference, where she spoke of King’s legacy and encouraged all Americans to continue fighting against attacks on basic freedoms. Harris then attended a campaign event at a local restaurant before visiting the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team at the Colonial Life Arena.
Biden volunteered at a food bank called Philabundance, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Monday marks the third year that the president has volunteered at the Philly organization. He did not respond to shouted questions from reporters about whether he will watch the Republican caucuses tonight.
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Nikki Haley Campaigns On Caucus Day
Haley campaigned at The Bread Board in Pella, Iowa, ahead of Monday's caucuses.
Ron DeSantis Goes Hard Against Trump At 11th Hour
DeSantis made his most forceful comments yet about Trump on the eve of his probable first loss to the former president.
"You could be the lousiest Republican in America, but if you kiss the ring, he likes you," DeSantis told an ABC News reporter Monday, just hours before the caucuses, in response to a question about Trump's attacks against Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. "You could be the best Republican in America, if you don't kiss that ring, then he'll trash you."
An NBC News reporter who highlighted the remarks noted that other Trump rivals have gone after him the same way before ultimately losing to the real estate mogul. In 2016, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio called him a "fraud" and "con man," and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called him a "narcissist" and "pathological liar" in the twilights of their presidential campaigns.
Both Cruz and Rubio have since turned the page on Trump; just yesterday, Rubio endorsed Trump in the primary, writing online that Trump's leadership is the "ONLY way we will get the extraordinary actions needed to fix the disaster Biden has created."
"You could be the lousiest Republican in America, but if you kiss the ring, he likes you," DeSantis told an ABC News reporter Monday, just hours before the caucuses, in response to a question about Trump's attacks against Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. "You could be the best Republican in America, if you don't kiss that ring, then he'll trash you."
An NBC News reporter who highlighted the remarks noted that other Trump rivals have gone after him the same way before ultimately losing to the real estate mogul. In 2016, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio called him a "fraud" and "con man," and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called him a "narcissist" and "pathological liar" in the twilights of their presidential campaigns.
Both Cruz and Rubio have since turned the page on Trump; just yesterday, Rubio endorsed Trump in the primary, writing online that Trump's leadership is the "ONLY way we will get the extraordinary actions needed to fix the disaster Biden has created."
Chris Sununu Says GOP Primary Is A 2-Person Race: ‘No One’s Even Thinking About Ron’
The New Hampshire governor, who considered running for president himself before endorsing Haley, told MSNBC on Monday that the GOP primary is a “two-person race” between the former South Carolina governor and Trump.
“No one’s even thinking about Ron,” Sununu said on “Andrea Mitchell Reports.” “He’s not playing in New Hampshire. He’s going to get crushed in South Carolina. And this win that he promised in Iowa is definitely not coming to fruition, and he’s falling way behind.”
Sununu recently softened his stance about voting for Trump in November, should he become the GOP nominee. Even if the indicted ex-president is convicted, the Republican governor said he would still vote for him, because “that’s how bad Joe Biden is.”
Trump responded by attacking Sununu and Haley, calling the former “politically dead” and the latter a “Birdbrain.”
“Trump is scared, and he should be,” Sununu told Mitchell. “He’s not strong. He’s scared to be called on his record.”
“No one’s even thinking about Ron,” Sununu said on “Andrea Mitchell Reports.” “He’s not playing in New Hampshire. He’s going to get crushed in South Carolina. And this win that he promised in Iowa is definitely not coming to fruition, and he’s falling way behind.”
Sununu recently softened his stance about voting for Trump in November, should he become the GOP nominee. Even if the indicted ex-president is convicted, the Republican governor said he would still vote for him, because “that’s how bad Joe Biden is.”
Trump responded by attacking Sununu and Haley, calling the former “politically dead” and the latter a “Birdbrain.”
“Trump is scared, and he should be,” Sununu told Mitchell. “He’s not strong. He’s scared to be called on his record.”
Donald Trump, Nikki Haley Spar Ahead Of Caucuses
With polls indicating Haley is Trump’s closest rival in tonight’s caucuses, the former president took to Truth Social to get in a few final jabs before Iowans make their way to vote.
“Nikki Haley can never win in the General Election because she doesn’t have MAGA, and never will!” he wrote Monday morning on his social media platform. “Ron DeSanctimonious, at least, is MAGA- Lite.”
He continued: “Nikki is a Globalist RINO, backed by American’s for Chinese Growth, the Charles Koch con job. It’s not going to happen for her, or DeSanctimonious! Vivek Votes are wasted, should come to ‘TRUMP.’”
Later Monday, Haley’s campaign accused Trump of “flinging phony, contradictory attacks.”
“Don’t believe the fake news from Trump world — they don’t believe it themselves,” said Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas, according to Politico.
The final Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa poll, released Sunday evening, showed Haley rising to second place in the caucuses. The poll still indicates Trump is the overwhelming favorite to win the first Republican nominating event of the election: Trump polled at 48%, while Haley was at 20% and DeSantis fell to 16%.
“Nikki Haley can never win in the General Election because she doesn’t have MAGA, and never will!” he wrote Monday morning on his social media platform. “Ron DeSanctimonious, at least, is MAGA- Lite.”
He continued: “Nikki is a Globalist RINO, backed by American’s for Chinese Growth, the Charles Koch con job. It’s not going to happen for her, or DeSanctimonious! Vivek Votes are wasted, should come to ‘TRUMP.’”
Later Monday, Haley’s campaign accused Trump of “flinging phony, contradictory attacks.”
“Don’t believe the fake news from Trump world — they don’t believe it themselves,” said Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas, according to Politico.
The final Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa poll, released Sunday evening, showed Haley rising to second place in the caucuses. The poll still indicates Trump is the overwhelming favorite to win the first Republican nominating event of the election: Trump polled at 48%, while Haley was at 20% and DeSantis fell to 16%.
DeSantis Says He Won't Drop Out After Iowa
Despite trailing both Trump and Haley in the polls going into Monday's caucuses, DeSantis said he's in it for the long haul.
"We're going on with this," he said when NBC's Hallie Jackson asked if it's fair to say he is not dropping out tonight or tomorrow. "We've been built for the long haul. It's all about the accumulation of delegates."
"We're going on with this," he said when NBC's Hallie Jackson asked if it's fair to say he is not dropping out tonight or tomorrow. "We've been built for the long haul. It's all about the accumulation of delegates."
DeSantis Faces Do Or Die Test
One year after leading the polls for the Republican presidential nomination, Ron DeSantis is just hours away from his moment of truth.
Nikki Haley Moves Into Second In Final Iowa Poll
Haley rose into second place in a final Iowa poll while Trump’s support among likely caucus-goers still makes him the overwhelming favorite to win the GOP’s first presidential nominating contest on Monday.
Coldest Temps In Caucus History
The AP reports Iowa is experiencing the coldest temperatures in caucus history today, which could have an impact on turnout. Read more here.