Updated Jan 15, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Trump cites past elections for 2024 confidence

Natalie Daher

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night rally at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Feb. 1, 2016. Photo: Charles Ommanney/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Former President Trump on Monday, hours before the Iowa caucuses, told reporters: "We've won it twice, as you know."

The big picture: Trump has a massive polling lead in Iowa, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley are likely battling over second place.

While Trump won the Iowa caucuses in 2020 as the incumbent president, he narrowly lost in 2016 to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
Following his 2016 caucuses loss, Trump falsely accused Cruz of stealing the Iowa caucuses and accused his opponent's campaign of deliberately spreading misinformation.
He won the 2016 election against Hillary Clinton and lost the 2020 election against Joe Biden. He won in the state of Iowa in both general elections.

What he's saying: "I think we're going to have a tremendous night tonight. The people are fantastic. I've never seen spirit like they have," the former president told reporters on Monday while leaving the Hotel Fort Des Moines.

Trump polled as the first choice for 48% of likely caucusgoers in the final NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa poll ahead of Monday.
Haley was at 20%, while DeSantis was at 16%.
A Trump campaign spokesperson told Axios he was referring to the 2016 and 2020 elections in the remarks.

Follow live updates: Trump predicts "tremendous" night in Iowa while Haley and DeSantis make final pitches

Editor's note: This story and headline have been updated with additional details.

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Trump cites past elections for 2024 confidence

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