Several 2024 Republican presidential candidates defended Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) in the wake of former President Donald Trump's attacks against her for not endorsing a candidate in the make-or-break Iowa caucuses.
Trump took to his social media platform on Monday to slam Reynolds's neutrality, excoriate Reynolds for allegedly needing his support in order to win her 2018 gubernatorial election, and trash his closest rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
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"I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain 'NEUTRAL.' I don’t invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!" he posted.
The Trump campaign is frustrated with Reynolds's growing closeness with DeSantis and his wife Casey, according to a New York Times report. Reynolds appeared with Casey DeSantis during her solo Iowa trip to launch the "Mamas for DeSantis" initiative last week. Yet Reynolds has said she would appear with other 2024 hopefuls if they wanted her appearance and her schedule permitted it.
But DeSantis and other GOP presidential candidates have publicly expressed their support of the Iowa governor. DeSantis described Reynolds as a "strong leader who knows how to ignore the chirping and get it done."
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who Reynolds has appeared with on the campaign trail, called the governor "a conservative rockstar who has delivered for the people of her state. Like I always say, Iowa grows strong women!"
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson defended Reynolds and also took a moment to slam Trump. "No one should be attacked for declining to endorse a politician. That behavior is dictatorial. I applaud @KimReynoldsIA for welcoming all GOP candidates into Iowa. America deserves better than Donald Trump. If you agree, help me get on the debate stage,” he tweeted before linking to his donations page.
Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) told CNN's Erin Burnett that Reynolds “is doing a great job being neutral.”
“I trust Kim Reynolds. I think she’s doing a great job. And, of course, everybody loves to campaign with Kim. She’s super popular in Iowa,” he added. "She's done a great job advancing Republican principles in that state."
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Fellow Iowan Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) also defended Reynolds against Trump. "Iowa is lucky to have the best Governor in the country! We’re fighting alongside @KimReynoldsIA every single day to push back against Biden’s radical agenda and fire him in 2024!" she tweeted.
In another sign of the feud with Trump, Reynolds didn't appear onstage with the former president during his most recent Iowa stop in Council Bluffs last week.