Reportedly angry that Republican Iowa Governor and Melania-esque (if you squint) wax figurine Kim Reynolds drew the ire of indicted national security risk Donald Trump because she paid compliments to his opponents, particularly Ron DeSantis, leading Trump to skip an upcoming Iowa forum for GOP presidential candidates, the New York Times reports.
Trump will not attend the Family Leadership Summit, a conservative Christian conference that would be the first major gathering for GOP candidates. Candidates Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson, Mike Pence, Tim Scott and Vivek Ramaswamy are all scheduled to attend. Chris Christie is the only other Republican candidate not scheduled to attend.
And Trump’s absence is already been seen as a slap in the face to Iowa voters, a view his opponents are capitalizing on in fundraising appeals. “With Trump’s personality, I feel he thinks he owns Iowa,” said Steve Boender, a board member for the Family Leader, “and I’m not sure he does. … I think Trump’s negativity is hurting things a little bit.”
Trump characteristic negativity came through in a post he made to his struggling personal social media site. “I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain ‘NEUTRAL.’ I don’t invite her to events!” he ranted, clearly thinking a quid pro quo is required, again.