DeSantis has a lot at stake in Iowa: Guy Benson
‘The Big Weekend Show’ panelists discuss the upcoming Iowa caucuses and rumors that Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is considering dropping out if he loses to former President Trump.
Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis responded to rumors that he could drop out of the 2024 race if he loses to former President Trump in the Iowa caucuses.
DeSantis told Fox News’ Bill Melugin at an event in Grimes, Iowa, that the rumors were “categorically false” and a “lie.” “Totally made up,” he said.
The governor of Florida added that he believes the rumor was created so that people would not show up to vote.
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Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event at McDivot’s Indoor Sports Pub on January 7, 2024 in Grimes, Iowa. ((Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images))
TO december survey NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom found that Trump has a commanding lead, with 51% of likely Republican caucusgoers saying their first choice is the former 45th president.
DeSantis came in second with 19%, followed by Nikki Haley with 16%. Vivek Ramaswamy and Chris Christie were in single digits with 5% and 4%, respectively.
Fox News’ Guy Benson said DeSantis has “a lot on the line” in Iowa and has been working hard on the ground.
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“If he performs very poorly, then I think there will be some difficult conversations within that campaign. But look, we always, or often in the early days of these primary seasons, we see some surprises,” Benson said on “The Big Weekend Show.” . “Now, look, it would be a big surprise if someone other than Trump wins Iowa. But I think writing off anyone, especially someone who has been at least competitive in that state at this stage, is premature.”
Former President Donald Trump takes the stage during an organizing event at Fervent Calvary Chapel on July 8, 2023 in Las Vegas. ((Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images))
Co-anchor Alicia Acuña said she has been covering races for the past two decades and one thing stands out to her: Voters don’t like being told what to do.
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“Right now, the narrative is that Trump is going to take this and sweep Iowa, sweep New Hampshire, and just keep going until the convention in July. It’s January, and we have to, I think, give voters a chance,” he explained. “The surveys tell us a lot of things, but according to Guy, there have been surprises. Will there be an earthquake? Probably not. But it’s not over. It’s not over. It’s not over.”
