DeSantis makes unplanned stop in Des Moines to meet conservatives after Trump cancels rally due to weather.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Unplanned Stop in Des Moines

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made an unexpected stop in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday evening to meet with local conservatives after former President Donald Trump canceled a rally due to weather concerns. DeSantis arrived at Jethro’s BBQ after traveling nearly 300 miles from Sioux Center to Cedar Rapids earlier in the day.

The restaurant was close to where Trump was supposed to hold his rally, but canceled at the last minute over concerns of stormy weather. Despite the cancellation, DeSantis made the most of his time in Des Moines, greeting supporters and taking photos.

Endorsements and the Future of the Republican Party

The pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down released a list of endorsements this week of 37 state-level Iowa lawmakers, including Senate President Amy Sinclair, Senate Majority Whip Waylon Brown, House Majority Leader Matt W. Windschitl, and House Speaker Pro Tempore John H. Wills. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign released a list of approximately 150 pro-Trump activists and elected officials who endorsed the former president in the state, including about a dozen state legislators.

Speaking in Sioux City earlier in the day, DeSantis emphasized the importance of demonstrating the courage to lead and the strength to win. He urged Republicans to make the 2024 election a referendum on Joe Biden and his failures, and to provide a positive alternative for the future of the country. DeSantis warned that if Republicans get distracted and focus on past issues or other side issues, the Democrats will beat them again.

“And I think it’ll be very difficult to recover from that defeat. And here’s the thing — I used to think our country was locked and loaded. Nothing can go wrong in terms of a free society. But freedom is fragile,” DeSantis said.

Weather Concerns and Trump’s Canceled Rally

The National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch for a large portion of the state earlier in the day, leading to Trump’s decision to cancel the rally. However, the weather appeared to be good at the time Trump was supposed to speak at the venue in Des Moines, according to videos posted online.

The Des Moines Register reported that the Trump campaign released a list of approximately 150 pro-Trump activists and elected officials who endorsed the former president in the state, including “about a dozen state legislators.”

Despite the cancellation, DeSantis made the most of his time in Des Moines, greeting supporters and taking photos. He emphasized the importance of delivering results and said, “we’re gonna have a chance pretty soon to make sure that’s done in every state in the country.”

As the Republican Party looks to the future, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the leader and what the party’s platform will be. But one thing is clear: Republicans must stay focused on the issues that matter to the American people and provide a positive alternative for the future of the country.