Donald Trump cancels outdoor rally in Des Moines, citing possible severe weather

Former President Donald has canceled an outdoor rally planned for Saturday evening in Des Moines, citing possible severe weather.

The scheduled appearance had drawn additional attention because it was scheduled the same day as likely presidential contender Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was in the state for events in Sioux Center and Cedar Rapids.

The event would have marked Trump's second visit to Iowa since announcing his 2024 presidential candidacy in March.

More: Ahead of likely 2024 run, DeSantis calls for 'positive alternative' to Biden in Iowa

Trump was to speak to a crowd at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch for counties stretching from northwestern Iowa to far southeastern Iowa, including Polk County, extending until 7 p.m. Saturday.

"Stay tuned, we will reschedule soon," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Be safe out there!"

Trump did announce the endorsements Saturday of about 150 grassroots Republicans and elected officials across Iowa, including about a dozen state legislators.

A news release from the Trump campaign said the endorsements show Trump's "commanding position in the Hawkeye State."

“We are proud to receive the support of Iowa’s most conservative and committed Republicans,” Marshall Moreau, the Trump campaign's Iowa state director said in a statement. “These grassroots leaders have long fought for the America First Movement and are just the beginning of an army that President Trump is building to win the First-in-the-Nation Republican caucuses.”

Charity Baker drove down from Clear Lake with a coworker for the event and was disappointed to see it canceled.

"It’s a huge bummer," said Baker, 44. "I’ve never seen him in person, I’ve never heard him speak in person, and this would have been really monumental."

Baker, a doctor, said she's committed to supporting Trump in 2024 and isn't considering other candidates this year.

"I like Ron DeSantis," she said. "I think it will be his turn in 2028."

She said she likes that Trump is not a politician and said he's exposed corruption within the government.

"When he was president we had a better economy and less inflation and lower gas prices and lower prices of everything," Baker said. "And he has a business mindset, which I think fits in the role of the presidency better than a politician does."

Barbara Rairden, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mom from Albany, Missouri, was also hoping to hear Trump speak. She and her parents drove nearly two hours to attend Saturday's event.

"I hate Joe Biden," she said. "They need to get Joe Biden out of office and Trump back in."

Rairden said she doesn't like DeSantis, saying DeSantis tries to act like Trump and "you can't be Trump."

"He only got where he was because Trump helped him," she said. "And then he turned around and started acting like him and is trying to run. We want Trump back. We don’t want DeSantis. Sorry."

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart criticized both Trump and DeSantis ahead of the events.

"Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are tripping over themselves to prove who will support the most extreme abortion ban, the biggest cuts to Medicare and Social Security, give handouts to special interests, and continue their obsession with taking away the rights of LGBTQ Americans," Hart said in a statement Saturday morning.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Donald Trump cancels Des Moines rally, citing possible severe weather