Former President Donald Trump said Monday that the nickname ‘Meatball Ron’ is ‘too crude’ to be used on ‘probably’ the ex-president’s biggest rival for the 2024 GOP nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
‘I don’t use that name. It’s used by other people. I don’t like that name, I think it’s too crude,’ Trump said, according to the Daily Caller. ‘I’m a very non-crude individual.’
Trump opened up to reporters on board ‘Trump Force One,’ en route to Davenport, Iowa for his first 2024 campaign outing in the state, which still holds the first Republican caucus, despite the Democrats’ decision to reorder the early contests.
During an appearance at the historic Adler Theater in downtown Davenport, Trump swatted at DeSantis several times, telling the Iowa crowd the Florida governor was bad on ethanyl – an important issue in the corn-growing state – and wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare.
‘You have to remember Ron was a disciple of Paul Ryan,’ Trump told the crowd, describing the former GOP House speaker as a ‘RINO loser who is currently destroying Fox.’
‘And Ron also reminds me of Mitt Romney,’ Trump added.
Former President Donald Trump made his first campaign appearance in Iowa Monday evening, taking on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at an event in Davenport, Iowa
Upon arriving in Davenport, Iowa, former President Donald Trump and his entourage stopped at the Machine Shed Restaurant, a barbecue restauant near the Davenport airport
DeSantis, who Trump has labeled ‘Ron DeSanctimonious,’ announced last week that he would be going to Iowa as part of his book tour – another sign that he’ll eventually announce a bid.
DeSantis made stops in Davenport and Des Moines, with Trump announcing he was heading to Davenport on the heels of the Florida governor saying he would be there.
Upon arriving in the Hawkeye State, Trump and his entourage stopped at the Machine Shed Restaurant, a barbecue restaurant near the Davenport airport.
There he posed with pies and took selfies with diners, as the historic Adler Theater in downtown Davenport filled up with MAGA faithful.
Trump picked up food for others, but didn’t get dinner for himself, a campaign spokesperson told DailyMail.com.
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Only two candidates – Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy – have announced a 2024 bid against the ex-president so far, but on the plane Trump acknowledged that DeSantis was probably his biggest threat for the nomination.
‘I would say probably so, but you never know what happens, it could change,’ he told a group of reporters, including for the Daily Caller and Bloomberg.
‘I think that we’re not going to have much of a challenge,’ Trump said.
Former President Donald Trump is photographed as he makes a stop at the Machine Shed restaurant during his first trip to Iowa as a 2024 presidential hopeful
Trump continues to lead in most major opinion polls – though DeSantis had a lead in a recent Florida poll – for the nomination.
Upon taking the stage Trump, of course, boasted about the crowd size, which the campaign said was about 3,500 strong.
Droves of supporters were left outside the Davenport theater Monday evening, not able to squeeze into the venue that is smaller than places where Trump generally holds rallies.
About 1,200 to 1,500 were still waiting in line outside when the event started, the campaign said, pointing out that accounted for more people than who showed up for DeSantis’ speech.
Iowa’s Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds introduced both men.
Trump explained to the crowd that he picked an indoor event due to the cold.
As the ex-president spoke, it was a chilly 31 degrees outside.
The campaign said voters from 77 of Iowa’s counties are represented.
He also said that after his speech he would take questions from the audience.
‘Unlike Biden you can ask me whatever the hell you want,’ he said to cheers.
