Former President Donald Trump made a resounding return to the campaign trail on Thursday, igniting a heated clash with his chief rival for the GOP presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. As DeSantis embarked on his first swing through early voting states as an official candidate, Trump stormed back into Iowa after a weather-induced cancellation of his previous event. Reluctantly conceding the spotlight to DeSantis during his absence, Trump now seeks to reclaim center stage with a series of events in Des Moines, followed by a highly anticipated town hall airing on Fox News Channel.
Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis concluded a whirlwind two-day tour in Iowa and set his sights on the early voting state of New Hampshire. With stops scheduled in Laconia, Rochester, Salem, and Manchester, DeSantis aims to fortify his position in the presidential race before taking his campaign to South Carolina the following day. Both Trump and DeSantis are presenting themselves as champions of conservative policies, intensifying their rhetoric as the competition escalates.
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While DeSantis initially refrained from responding to Trump's relentless social media attacks, the governor adopted a more combative stance during his Iowa visit, vowing to "fight back." Accusing Trump of veering away from "America First" immigration principles and shifting positions on key issues, DeSantis intends to differentiate himself from the former president.
In the digital arena, Trump and his allies continue to assail DeSantis, leveraging social media to showcase favorable poll numbers and criticize the governor's handling of the pandemic. Furthermore, Trump recently recommitted to a longstanding campaign promise by vowing to eliminate birthright citizenship for babies of non-citizens and unauthorized immigrants, a proposal he refrained from pursuing during his first term in office.
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On the campaign trail, Trump's agenda for the day includes an appearance at the Westside Conservative Breakfast, a longstanding tradition for Republican candidates. Following breakfast, Trump will engage with faith leaders, connect with activists and supporters, and cap off the day with a town hall alongside Sean Hannity, to be broadcast on Fox News in the evening.
Concurrently, DeSantis' visit to New Hampshire mirrors his Iowa swing, featuring a string of appearances across the state. Notably, he is set to engage in a "fireside chat" with his wife, Casey DeSantis, showcasing a personal side to his candidacy.
As Trump and DeSantis vie for the favor of GOP voters, the Republican presidential field is poised to expand further. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to launch his campaign on June 6 in New Hampshire, while the subsequent day will see announcements from Mike Pence, Trump's former vice president, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Additionally, US Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and biotech entrepreneur and "anti-woke" activist Vivek Ramaswamy have already entered the race, further augmenting the crowded field.
(With AP Inputs)
