Last week, Bob Vander Plaats, a notable Iowa evangelical leader and former Trump supporter, publicly endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican primary, much to the dismay of former President Donald Trump.
In response, Trump, currently leading the 2024 Republican race, expressed his discontent on the Truth Social platform. He referred to Vander Plaats, the CEO of Family Leader, as a “former high school accountant,” emphasizing allegations of him being better known for “scamming candidates” than achieving victory. Additionally, Trump claimed that a $95,000 donation from the DeSantis campaign to Vander Plaats’ nonprofit was a ploy to secure his endorsement—a charge vehemently denied by Vander Plaats.
Vander Plaats, a reported Trump voter in both 2016 and 2020, retaliated vigorously on the platform formerly known as Twitter. In one post, he asserted that Iowa would demonstrate higher standards by choosing @RonDeSantis over a “Chump.” Another post conveyed feedback from individuals in an Iowa stronghold, stating that they were “done” with Trump.
LOL @realDonaldTrump is the only candidate…EVER…who thought my endorsement would be for sale. He found out, and @Reuters validated, I live by higher standards.
And, Iowa will exhibit higher standards when they choose @RonDeSantis over a Chump. pic.twitter.com/YtZZPLuYM9
— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) November 25, 2023
The exchange took an intriguing turn as Vander Plaats referenced the unverified “golden showers” allegation from Christopher Steele’s dossier, accusing Trump of hiring prostitutes to urinate on a Moscow hotel bed—an accusation Trump denies. Vander Plaats expressed a desire to shift the conversation from “golden showers” to the discussion of gold standards, citing Trump’s lies as the final straw.
Just returned from an Iowa stronghold for @realDonaldTrump Person to Person told me they are done with him.
While they long to leave the topic of ‘golden showers’ and return to the discussion of gold standards,The final straw…his lies about @KimReynoldsIA#ChooseWell2024
— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) November 25, 2023
The endorsement saga continued, with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds drawing Trump’s ire earlier in the month after publicly supporting DeSantis for president.
