Trump to visit Iowa State Fair along with DeSantis, 2024 rivals

Former President Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to visit the Iowa State Fair this weekend, on Saturday, Aug. 12.

Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, joins other GOP candidates at the annual event, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who also plans to attend the fair on Saturday.

The Iowa State Fair, which extends from Aug. 11 to Aug. 18, has long been seen as a mainstay in presidential campaigns and an opportunity for presidential candidates to court voters.

Trump’s planned visit to the state fair, however, comes after he turned down other events, including a fireside chat with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who extended the invitation to all 2024 GOP candidates for president. Despite being a popular candidate in her state, Trump has been critical of Reynolds over the last couple of months.

Trump’s visit also is likely an attempt to overshadow DeSantis’s efforts to reset his campaign. DeSantis reportedly visited nearly 30 counties in Iowa, as of Saturday. 

DeSantis’s efforts come as his campaign has struggled to make strong gains in the polls. According to Morning Consult data updated Tuesday, Trump had the support of 59 percent of Republican voters, followed by DeSantis’s 16 percent.