Trump heads to Iowa to counter right-wing push by Ron DeSantis

Former President Donald Trump headed to Iowa Wednesday to counter a push by Ron DeSantis to win over evangelical Christian conservatives in the first-in-the-nation Republican caucus state.

Touting his support for farm-friendly policies, Trump planned to go toe-to-toe with the Florida governor as he also barnstorms the Hawkeye State.

“Ron ‘DeSaster’ has ALWAYS been strongly against Ethanol,” Trump blustered, trying out a new derisive nickname for his rival.

Trump will address a conservative business group on Thursday before appearing at a Fox News town hall hosted by right-wing favorite Sean Hannity.

“Remember, I terminated the worst trade deal in USA history, NAFTA, and replaced it with the best,” he added on his social media site.

Trump is pushing back hard after DeSantis signaled that his newly launched campaign will focus strongly on Iowa, where the GOP electorate and caucus-goers skew far to the Christian conservative right.

After keeping his powder dry for months, DeSantis is hitting back at Trump by accusing him of not being conservative enough on hot button issues like abortion, immigration and the so-called “war on woke” progressive ideals.

DeSantis refused to keep quiet when Trump repeated claims that the Florida governor took a liberal stand by shutting down beaches and businesses during the COVID-19 policies.

He reminded conservative supporters that Trump stuck by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the world famous pandemic doctor who is a lightning rod for criticism from the far right.

DeSantis jabbed at Trump, noting that the former president officially moved to the Sunshine State on his watch.

“Hell, his whole family moved to Florida under my governorship,” DeSantis said. “Are you kidding me?”

Trump leads DeSantis by more than 2-1 in national polls and also by a huge 42% in one recent survey of Iowa Republicans.

DeSantis is firmly in second place but he may face sniping from lesser candidates as ex-Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie prepare to jump in the race.

The increasingly crowded race could benefit Trump as it did in his first run for the White House when he romped to victory over a large field of squabbling GOP rivals.