In a landslide victory during the Iowa Republican caucuses, former President Donald Trump demonstrated unprecedented dominance, securing victories in every county except one. The exit polling following this historic win showcased Trump’s widespread appeal across various demographics and issues, often with a substantial double-digit lead. Notably, Trump obtained a 62% majority among caucusgoers without a college degree and significant support from those identifying as very conservative (58%) and rural voters (58%), according to Fox News.
Trump’s influence extended to key issues on voters’ minds. Immigration, the top concern for many caucusgoers, saw Trump leading by an impressive 36 points. Similarly, Trump was the preferred candidate for those focused on the economy, securing a 33-point lead. Even in categories emphasizing a strong leader with mental acumen, Trump held a 28-point advantage.
White evangelical caucusgoers overwhelmingly supported Trump, with 55% backing him, more than doubling the support for the next two contenders, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (24%) and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley (13%). Despite facing legal challenges in various states, caucusgoers largely perceived them as politically motivated attacks against Trump, with 80% attributing the investigations to partisan motives.
Interestingly, only 20% of caucusgoers believed Trump was legitimately being investigated for potential wrongdoing, showing a substantial dismissal of the charges against him. Additionally, about six in ten caucusgoers questioned the legitimacy of President Joe Biden’s election, further underlining the depth of support for Trump.
Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro characterized Trump’s resounding victory as making him the de facto nominee of the Republican Party. Shapiro compared Trump’s lead to Secretariat’s overwhelming victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes, suggesting that, given the current momentum, Trump is poised for the general election against Joe Biden.