Trump mocks Reynolds as ‘most unpopular governor’ in America

Former President Donald Trump released a one-minute video blasting Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday, saying she “has gone from a popular governor to the most unpopular governor in the entire United States of America.”

A recent poll from Morning Consult indicated that Reynolds was the most unpopular governor in America followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is challenging Trump in the Republican presidential primary.

Trump, the GOP primary front-runner, has been attacking Reynolds at campaign events and on social media even before she officially endorsed DeSantis earlier this month.

“Her endorsement of Ron DeSanctamonius, who is 50 points down to me in the polls, has given him exactly zero bounce,” Trump said in the video. “He’s a wounded bird falling violently from the sky. I wonder what position Kim was promised in order to back someone is so far down in the polls.”

Reynolds responded to Trump on her personal/campaign Twitter account.

“It’s not about me. It’s about our country,” she wrote. “Ron DeSantis follows through on his promises, can serve 8 years, and has a WINNING record. He’s the most effective leader I’ve ever seen. If you like what we are doing in Iowa, you’ll love what he’ll do for this country!”

Other prominent Iowa Republicans also rose to Reynolds’ defense on Twitter.

“You have to have your head buried in the sand to think Governor Reynolds, who just won re-election last year in a blowout, is unpopular. Come on man,” wrote Rep. Skyler Wheeler of Hull.

Former Iowa GOP Co-Chair Dr. Cody Hoefert shared a map that showed that Reynolds outperformed Trump in all 99 counties during her 2022 race compared to his 2020 race.

“Because the facts matter,” Hoefert wrote. “Kim Reynolds overperformed Trump all across Iowa.”

Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader social conservative organization, also chimed in.

“While disappointing … exceptionally revealing,” wrote Vander Plaats. 

Vander Plaats is expected to announce this week that he is also endorsing DeSantis, according to multiple media outlets.