Trump brings entourage of Florida-based lawmakers to Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, Iowa (FLV) – Former President Donald Trump traveled with a heavy entourage of Florida lawmakers to the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, appearing to throw shade at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The GOP frontrunner was accompanied by Republican Reps. Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, Carlos Gimenez, Cory Mills, Brian Mast, Gus Bilirakis, Greg Steube, Mike Waltz and Anna Paulina Luna to the fairgrounds on “Trump Force One.”

The Iowa State fair has been an annual campaign stop for both political parties and their prospective politicians since the 1970’s.

Multiple Florida lawmakers shared reaction to Trump’s arrival on social media.

“The crowds were so large fair goers could not get within 10 blocks of the fair,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna shared. 

Rep. Mike Waltz also shared a video touting the “YUGE” crowd.

DeSantis, meanwhile, engaged with Iowans over the weekend alongside Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Reynolds drew some ire from the former president after she choose to remain “neutral” in the presidential primary, prompting a response from DeSantis.

DeSantis also had a group of Iowa legislators at the fairgrounds.

So far, the gamesmanship between both candidates has given the edge to the former president.

According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump holds a strong lead over DeSantis nationally.

Trump also leads all GOP candidates, including DeSantis, by wide margins in Iowa, per early polling data.