Former president Donald Trump currently leads all challengers for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination by double digits in every poll.
His closest competitor is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has faded in recent months despite campaigning as the only sensible alternative to Trump.
While donors and voters are abandoning DeSantis in droves, that hasn’t stopped the two men from campaigning. Both candidates were in Iowa on Saturday to observe the state’s annual college football showdown between its premier college football programs, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones.
While both enjoyed taking in pregame festivities with fans around the stands, Trump retired to the suite of a prominent Republican donor for the game while DeSantis watched the game from the stands with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
Many observers, however, were quick to note the discrepancy between the reception for the two candidates:
I won't even lie to you, it's kind of crazy that Ron DeSantis was in the stands when they erupted into "We want Trump" chants at the Iowa vs Iowa State game. pic.twitter.com/qHkuHa8188
— Malcolm Fle𝕏 (@Malcolm_fleX48) September 9, 2023
Trump was the main character in Iowa today
Desantis was just another attendee pic.twitter.com/COrQ3tScUM
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 9, 2023
‘Don, 1: Ron, 0! Trump is surrounded by huge cheering mob as he attends same Iowa football game as DeSantis – who receives more muted welcome in bleachers’https://t.co/FU0TwXXss0
— Karoline Leavitt (@kleavittnh) September 10, 2023
The RINOs are desperately trying to prop up DeSantis and cover up his disastrous trip to Iowa yesterday. Trump ruled the day. Ron should have never sold out to the Bush crime family. pic.twitter.com/lG230EGAHl
— Gunnar Nordqvist (@GunnarNordqvist) September 10, 2023
This is the crowd that’s gathered outside the private suite where Donald Trump is watching the Cy-Hawk football game this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/yR8WJ3eam1
— Brianne Pfannenstiel (@brianneDMR) September 9, 2023
This footage is perfect.
As DeSantis walked though a crowd in Iowa, the people chanted
"We want Trump" 😂 @LauraLoomer https://t.co/OUWpJ1puv5 pic.twitter.com/5s70j0i4gF— Free the World 🇺🇲🌏🦅 (@PatriotVerity) September 10, 2023
Not everyone, however, thought it was a brutal comparison for DeSantis:
https://twitter.com/RedStates3/status/1700711885484556349
The Hawkeyes went on to avenge last year’s loss to the Cyclones, winning 20-23. Iowa running back Jaziun Patterson led the offensive effort with 10 rushes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara, who transferred from Michigan in the offseason, completed 12 of his 22 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.
