'I don't invite her to events': Donald Trump attacks Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for neutrality

Donald Trump turned his ire on Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Monday, criticizing her in a Truth Social post for choosing to remain neutral in the 2024 Iowa caucuses rather than endorsing his candidacy.

"I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won," Trump wrote. "Now, she wants to remain 'NEUTRAL.' I don't invite her to events!"

Reynolds, like several of Iowa's top elected officials, has pledged not to endorse any candidate ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation caucuses this year to help ensure they all find an even playing field in Iowa.

“I want to welcome everyone to this state,” Reynolds told the Des Moines Register in a February interview. “And if I weigh in, I don't know if they'll feel all that welcome. But, you know, I've made it clear, I will be happy to help introduce you, help travel the state, connect in any way that I can — especially to make sure that if we've got big things going on that they know about it.”

A Reynolds spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.

In his post, Trump took credit for Reynolds' political rise, including for naming former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as his ambassador to China in 2016, which cleared the way for Reynolds, who was lieutenant governor at the time, to ascend to the top job.

Reynolds had a difficult first election against prominent Des Moines businessman Fred Hubbell in 2018, at times appearing to trail him in the polls. Trump attended a rally for Reynolds about a month before Election Day, and she ultimately won by about 3 percentage points.

Trump is known for demanding loyalty from his followers and turning on those who fall short of his expectations, particularly those he purports to have helped.

Since taking office, Reynolds has won over much of the Republican base, and her approval numbers soared, now routinely topping those of U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst. She was reelected in 2022 by about 19 percentage points.

Iowa Republicans now say she is uniquely powerful in the state, prompting many political observers to question Trump's strategy in attacking her during such a pivotal year.

More: Uniquely powerful, Kim Reynolds could be a caucus kingmaker. Why she won't play favorites.

David Kochel, a Republican political operative who has advised Reynolds' campaigns and opposes Trump's reelection, wrote on Twitter that the former president's post is "not how you win friends in Iowa."

"By the way, when Trump was in the (White House) we had a much tougher race and lost the House," he added. "When he was gone, @KimReynoldsIA won by almost 20 points. He was a drag on the ballot in 2018, not a help."

2024 Iowa Caucuses See where presidential candidates are campaigning in the state

Influential Christian evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats also took to Twitter to push back against Trump.

"Forest Gump says, 'stupid is as stupid does,'" Vander Plaats wrote. "My Mom says don't call anyone, 'stupid.' So, I won't. However, this isn't smart. Iowa is wide open."

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is also seeking the Republican nomination, called Trump's behavior "dictatorial" Monday.

"No one should be attacked for declining to endorse a politician," he wrote on Twitter. "I applaud @KimReynoldsIA for welcoming all GOP candidates into Iowa."

Trump's post follows a weekend story in which The New York Times wrote that, "through her words and deeds, Ms. Reynolds seems to be softening the ground in Iowa for Mr. DeSantis, appearing to try to create the conditions for an opening for him to take on Mr. Trump."

She has taken on several high-profile roles at events for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, including interviewing him from the stage, introducing him and, most recently, attending a "Mamas for DeSantis" event with Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis.

"@KimReynoldsIA is a strong leader who knows how to ignore the chirping and get it done," Ron DeSantis said in a tweet Monday evening. "She earned a landslide re-election because she delivered big results, and she is poised to deliver even more for Iowans in the special session."

Reynolds has called a special session of the Iowa Legislature on Tuesday to debate a ban on most abortions at about the sixth week of pregnancy.

Reynolds has also appeared alongside numerous 2024 presidential candidates in Iowa this year, including U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Trump himself. She introduced the former president at a March rally in Davenport, praising his work for Iowa and farmers.

"In short, he delivered for Iowa," she said at the time.

She also defended Trump when he was indicted in June, calling it "a sad day for America."

Trump held a rally in Council Bluffs last week where he declared himself "the most pro-farmer president in history." Reynolds did not attend.

He's next scheduled to campaign in Iowa at the Republican Party of Iowa's annual Lincoln Day dinner July 28.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Trump attacks Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for her neutrality in caucuses