Trump Turns on Evangelical Leader Who Endorses Ron DeSantis
Former President Donald Trump has turned his formidable ire on an Evangelical leader in Iowa who has endorsed his rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump accused Bob Vander Plaats of being a “scammer,” among other disparaging comments.
“Bob Vander Plaats, the former High School Accountant from Iowa, will do anything to win, something which he hasn’t done in many years,” Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social. “He’s more known for scamming Candidates than he is for Victory, but now he’s going around using Disinformation from the Champions of that Art, the Democrats.”
“I don’t believe anything Bob Vander Plaats says,” he continued. “Anyone who would take $95,000 and then endorse a Candidate who is going nowhere is not what Elections are all about!”
In his endorsement Tuesday, the evangelical leader told Fox News’s Bret Baier that Republicans need “somebody who can win in 2024.” His backing comes two weeks after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also put her support behind the Florida governor.
Plaats also pointed to significant losses in 2022, claiming “the supposedly red wave really only happened in Florida and in Iowa.”
“Gov. DeSantis took a reliable toss-up state in Florida and made it complete red, won by 20 points, won in demographics that we haven’t won in,” said Vander Plaats, who currently serves as the CEO and president of The Family Leader. “But he’s also done that by being a bold and courageous leader.”
Following the announcement, Trump’s campaign sent out a mocking email with the subject: “Bob Vander Plaat$ Endorses A Candidate Who Will Never Be President.”
“Over 150 faith leaders in Iowa are organizing their congregations for President Trump, and not a single one demanded nearly $100k like Bob Vander Plaat$ did from Ron DeSanctus,” the campaign said in a statement. “When you are actually the leader of a movement like President Trump is, people are willing to support you for free,” the campaign said in a statement.
“Kim Reynolds’ endorsement won’t save Ron DeSanctus, and neither will Vander Plaat$’ endorsement,” they added.
He is probably right; despite these and other recent endorsements, Trump remains the front-runner with a massive lead over DeSantis or any of his potential GOP Rivals.
Trump once was a viable candidate to point out the problems with the left-influenced DC establishment. However, his constant sniping at anyone who disagrees on anything with him is not only childish but also harmful to the party. Look how many candidates he has endorsed have lost in areas that are normally reliably conservative. Maybe that’s because people are realizing he’s really not a conservative.
So let’s nominate and elect Niki Haley or DeSantos
Some of us realized that a long time ago. And we did not believe the big lie for a moment.
I can’t vote for Haley but I won’t protest either.
Who cares. Trump seems to think that a campaign contribution is a bribe when
I have never seen a more juvenile official campaign response, misspelling names in some pathetic desperate mocking way
DeSantis bought and paid for the endorsement with a $95,000.00 DONATION to Bobbie’s church and into his back pocket!!!! Just like a corrupt politician!!! Buying your votes!! DISGUSTING!!!!
In the last 7 years Trump has been through more Crap than any elected official in History.
Every one know 90% is Bull Shit.
Do you blame him.
What other Republican running for office at this moment could have fought an survived like he did?
That is why he WILL GET MY VOTE!
Haley, DeSantis, Ramaswamy, the crooked DEM Train would have run them over!
And if any of them are elected, they will be crushed!
Actually in the last seven years Trump has also caused more crap than any other elected official that lost, denied the loss, and tried to overthrow the electoral college and nullify the votes of millions of Americans just like you! He deserves the crap he is getting. But feel good Darren, he is your self proclaimed savior who says he is doing it all for you! He does not have his own interests at heart, he is all about your interests! Please send him more money for his court trials defense!
Trump won Biden lost. Don’t try it again
Yeah, that’s why Trump is not in the WH and Biden is in the WH. Keep dreaming Wampi!
Don’t doubt me Tommy. Just stay out of the way
Mr. Wampler shows a sad internet truth that virtual people get off giving virtual threats to virtual opponents. In reality, what a shame. Thank goodness most threats are stupid, harmless, pranks. Except the ones that aren’t. Thank God the FBI is watching…..
Actually the FBI can’t do anything about someone posting about what would likely happen. No threatening language. I have never said that I was going to do anything. Just saying that the feds only go after winners. But I also know that they have a hard on for conservatives. Maybe it’s time to stick together
No threats were made by me. The FBI was here. They offered me a job specifically to arrest Marxist democrats
The only arresting you’ll do is your own development.
You all are so tough as you whine about being cheated, cry about the unfair media, bemoan the evil government, tax man, judicial system, and disney. Telling us you’re gonna deport us, exterminate us, snd send us packing. You cry like babies that even the library has turned on you. You’re afraid of the cities, afraid of the schools, afraid of the Chineses, Russians, and even 25k hamas members gonna steal your cheese.
Grow a pair, quit squawking and balking and let’s just do it. Come on, balls in your court —- we rule it all; whattya gonna do about it, tough guys.
Not a damned thing asshole. Because you assholes will never rule me. Or people like me. Come on asshole. Try it.
We are already doing it dumbass. You bastards will never rule me out my kind
We are already doing it. We have the Senate and the White House and have passed more legislation in 2years, then you did in four. We own the cities, we own the suburbs. We rule you.
Not really. It’s a constitutional republic for all of us.
And we will stay out of your way. We won’t try it again. We won’t doubt you. Ok? Feel better now bubbala?
Jim be careful and don’t be egged on to post something to cause you trouble. These liberals pricks are bullies. Stay strong. We don’t have to be under their rule. Frank stays on this side constantly. He’s just doing his job. And didn’t Newsome look stupid last night?
Dan, once again you are blaming the wrong guy. “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Like Trump, you make your own bed. He has been indicted four or five times, over 90 charges, and some of his conspirators have already plead guilty — his lawyers no less. It’s not the Democrats persecuting him, it’s not the legal-media-government against him. It’s him.
Read his words. He’s getting worse.
I honestly don’t think this is you either. But you all need to wake up and smell the coffee; you are right to feel frustrated, you are wrong to follow this man in the future. He will lead you just like he led the 1.6.2021 insurrectionists to their plight, Read their testimonies too, see who they blame, even though the main blame is on them. But Republican after Republican that was arrested, indicted, and convicted —– blame Donald J. Trump for their dilemma stating they were only doing what he said was right.
Halley might even beat Biden.
And yes, Newsome in a two against one on an unlevel playing field of FOX, was not prepared and had the wrong strategy. He lost but I am not sure what the battle was. For him, it was practice for the future and knowing him, I am guessing a true learning experience. HEY —- he did it and that’s a pretty bold move.
IMO, this is the news American needs. Let’s get more of these blowhards from both sides into the arena to hash it out. Although next time, I would like to see a level playing field for an arena, not FOX, not Hannity.
Listen up.I’ve said it before. I don’t plan to support Trump in the primaries. But if he wins nomination I’ll vote for him. I am pulling for Nikki and Ron. Either or. I really don’t believe that Trump will be nominated. But I do believe that if he dropped out of the race today the charges would go away.
Again, wake up. He’s a sex abusing digital rapist who created a criminal enterprise that can no longer do business in his birth state that’s likely to be held liable and criminal on the majority of over 90 state and federal charges.
Not voting for him is patriotic.
Not voting in the primaries is nothing admirable at all.
I said whom I’m probably voting for in the primaries. But Trump has my vote if he wins the nomination. No apologies. No regrets. If democrats are elected it’s not by my vote. Even if it’s my brother or sister. Even my wife since I don’t have a husband