As the 2024 presidential candidate race gains momentum, the Iowa State Fair featured conflicts between supporters of Donald Trumpand Ron DeSantis. The two groups engaged in heated fights and sparring to assert dominance, including an actual fight at a dive bar in Des Moines.
Trump is facing a host of legal charges due to his involvement in the attempt to overturn the 2020 elections. However, his fans seem to be steadfast in their support for him and made it difficult for DeSantis to express himself.
From disrupting his meeting with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) with whistles and jeers of “we love Trump” to questioning his record as Florida governor, tension soared between the groups.
Before they met on the fair grounds, however, a brawl took place at a Des Moines dive bar, The Copper Cup, where DeSantis‘ super PAC Never Back Down was hosting an event. A row ensued with a Trump supporter clad in their candidate’s merch. While the exact cause of the brawl is not known, some speculated the issue had to do with Trump hats patrons were wearing, which featured incorrect information about Trump’s previous Iowa record. The caps read “Back to Back Champ,” insinuating Trump had won in Iowa in 2016 – in fact, he lost to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
With supporters hurling abuses at one another, the mudslinging spilled over to the next day’s state fair.
