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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:
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.
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.
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What Trump Did Today
Trump met with his campaign advisers in Des Moines on Monday.
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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.