Trump teased the rally on Truth Social shortly before, writing, “Iowa loves me because I love their farmers, workers, and American pride! Tonight, we celebrate 250 years of FREEDOM!”
The event includes plans for a National Garden of American Heroes, with 250 statues of iconic figures, per the National Endowment for the Humanities. Iowa, a MAGA stronghold Trump won in 2024 by 8 points, is the perfect launchpad.
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), who’ll introduce Trump, praised his “unshakable commitment to rural America.” The celebration comes amid Trump’s legal battles, as a federal judge in Iowa recently denied his motion to dismiss a lawsuit against The Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer over a 2024 poll showing Kamala Harris ahead. On X, supporters like posted, “Trump’s bringing patriotism back to Iowa!” while critics like called it a “political stunt” to distract from the bill’s Medicaid cuts.
