Trump Savors Historic Iowa Win, Haley Turns Up the Heat, DeSantis Survives

Donald Trump surged to a historic win in the Iowa caucuses, securing the largest margin of any non-incumbent in the modern era, and called for unity after uncharacteristically declining to attack his primary opponents.

Trump trounced his Republican challengers, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, in the Iowa caucuses held Monday.

Iowa had been billed as a crucial test for the former president and his rivals, and Trump had sought to downplay expectations of a record victory. The results are often seen as a key indicator of who will make the final fight for the White House.

In the event, it was Trump who emerged as the overwhelming victor, taking more than 51 percent of the vote—a margin that exceeded George W. Bush's 2000 win, in which he took 41 percent of the vote. Trump was also nearly 30 points clear of his nearest rival, DeSantis, the largest margin of victory in history.

DeSantis had 21.3 percent of votes, and Haley was in third with 19.1 percent. Ramaswamy received 7.7 percent and dropped out, immediately endorsing Trump.

It was a disappointing night for both DeSantis and Haley in different ways. DeSantis, long seen as Trump's main rival before his campaign went into reverse last year, had devoted time, money and resources to Iowa, but did not make a breakthrough. However, he did fend off the challenge from Haley, who failed to capitalize on the momentum that more recently had suggested she could emerge as a genuine competitor to Trump.

Trump Praises Opponents

The results allowed Trump to be uncommonly magnanimous in victory. He praised his opponents, saying Haley "did a good job [as governor], but she's not right to be president."

"They're all very smart people, very capable people," Trump said of his rivals.

Upon learning of his win, Trump told Fox News he felt "great" and "invigorated."

Trump told Fox News Digital after the results were called at around 8:30 p.m. EST, he felt "great. I am greatly honored by such an early call."

On Truth Social, he simply wrote: "THANK YOU IOWA, I LOVE YOU ALL!!!"

He later used the platform to thank Ramaswamy for his endorsement.

Newsweek reached out via email on Monday night to Trump's representatives for comment.

DeSantis and Haley Disappointed

While Trump celebrated, it was clear that DeSantis was less than thrilled about the caucus results. Both he and Haley were notably more strident in their responses than Trump.

"We got our ticket punched out of Iowa," DeSantis said, accusing the media and rival campaigns of throwing "everything but the kitchen sink" in an effort to stop him.

Haley congratulated Trump on the victory but also warned him against underestimating her. She had been narrowing the gap to Trump in New Hampshire, but supporters had been banking on a strong showing in Iowa to maintain her momentum. With Trump's historic victory, that narrative will be harder to maintain.

"I want to congratulate President Trump on his win tonight," Haley said. "When you look at how we are doing in New Hampshire, in South Carolina and beyond, I can safely say that tonight that I will make this Republican primary a two-person race."

Even so, she pulled no punches when it came to Trump and President Joe Biden, pointing out their ages. Trump is 77 years old and Biden is 81; Haley is 51.

"Underestimate me because that's always fun. Do you want more of the same, or do you want a new generation of conservative leadership? It's both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. They have more in common than you think," said Haley pointing to the age of both men and the increase in the national debt under their watch. "Both are consumed by the past. America deserves better."

Most Americans don't want a Trump-Biden rematch, she said, pointing out that it would be a "toss-up election". The polls show Haley faring much better against Biden than Trump, she said.

Trump Supporters Jubilant

Shortly after Trump's victory in Iowa was announced, his son, Donald Trump Jr., took to Truth Social to celebrate the win.

"Well, that was fast," Trump Jr. said. "Thank you Iowa. Now let's end this nonsense and go after the insanity that is today's Democrat party. Enough is enough! It's time to put America first for a change."

Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and Trump's former lawyer said he was "calling" Iowa for the former president shortly after 8:30 p.m. EST.

"I've seen enough," Giuliani posted on X at 8:37 p.m. "'America's Mayor Live'" is calling Iowa for Trump. President Donald J. Trump is going to win the 2024 Iowa Caucus by a HISTORIC MARGIN."

Former Arizona GOP candidate Kari Lake in a post on X urged Republicans to unite and support Trump.

"Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump on his incredible victory in the Iowa Primary," Lake said in the social media post. "My birthplace of Iowa is full of working-class Americans who value the work he did to Make America Great Again. He gave them four years of historic peace and prosperity. America is ready to have that again. It's time for this primary to come to an end. I urge Republicans to unite around President Trump as our nominee and focus on defeating @JoeBiden."

In addition to the margin of victory, there were other ominous signs for Trump's opponents.

He not only won over women voters in Iowa, but also took on a surprising number of voters who are opposed to an abortion ban. Half of women voting in Monday's caucuses voted for Trump, according to a CNN entrance poll, and 42 percent of those who voted for Trump Monday night oppose a ban on abortion.

The vote comes just days after Trump told a Fox News town hall that he was "proud" to have appointed the Supreme Court justices who overturned the landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade back in 2022.

Update 1/15/24, 11:56 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 1/16/24, 5:30 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.