Republican 2024 front-runner and former President Donald Trump is launching a major six-figure advertisement buy in Iowa with less than two months until the caucuses, with one ad featuring Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), despite her endorsement of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
While one of the ads will target President Joe Biden, the other will feature past praise of Trump from Reynolds, ABC News reported. This will be a turnaround for the former president, who launched attacks against the Iowa governor over the summer for staying neutral in the Republican primary.
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The ad touting Reynolds is a different approach than one Trump tried recently after Reynolds endorsed DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary on Nov. 6, which caused severe backlash from Trump and his allies.
Trump released a campaign video dismissing the impact of Reynolds's endorsement and called her the "most unpopular governor in America." Now, Trump's new TV ad features a compilation of Reynolds applauding Trump and his administration's policies at previous rallies, according to the national outlet.
Trump has a significant lead over his GOP challengers, including DeSantis, and has not campaigned as intensely as his competitors in the Hawkeye State. The Florida governor has made Iowa the focal point of his campaign as he seeks to sway voters to his side ahead of the Jan. 15 caucuses.
The former president's ad buy is one of the first times the campaign will go on broadcast TV and signals a new approach from Trump in what he has brushed off as an easy race.
"Now we got to get out — we got to make sure, you know, we have to send a great signal," Trump said at his rally in Fort Dodge, Iowa, last weekend.
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A senior Trump official reportedly said that Trump's new ad spending reflects the former president's commitment and determination to win Iowa in January. The official said Trump will also increase his campaigning in other early-voting states, including New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.
Trump will make his 15th trip to Iowa this weekend, holding one event in Ankeny and another event in Cedar Rapids. DeSantis will complete his "full Grassley" 99-county tour this weekend.