In the Iowa caucuses, Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, decisively secured victory, solidifying his position as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 White House race.
Trump’s notable win on Monday, widely anticipated, surpassed the performances of former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The provisional tallies revealed that Trump secured at least 20 out of 40 delegates, while DeSantis garnered eight and Haley received seven.
Media outlets declared Trump the winner approximately 30 minutes after the commencement of the state-wide voting, bringing him a step closer to securing a third consecutive presidential nomination.
Vivek Ramaswamy, founder of a biotech startup who won two delegates, announced his withdrawal from the race and endorsed Trump as the results unfolded.
Despite facing legal challenges, including four criminal indictments, Trump’s commanding victory underscores his continued influence within the Republican Party.
On Tuesday, he is set to appear in a New York court as a jury deliberates whether he should pay additional damages to a writer who previously won a $5 million jury award against him for sexual assault and defamation.
Although Iowa has a mixed track record in predicting the eventual Republican nominee, Trump’s triumph highlights his enduring support within the party, despite ongoing legal controversies that some Republicans view as politically motivated.
The state’s significance in forecasting the GOP nominee has been sporadic, with George W. Bush being the last Republican candidate to win Iowa in 2000.
