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By Ewan Palmer
News Reporter
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Donald Trump has warned of the potential for "dirty tricks" amid speculation the freezing temperatures in Iowa may affect the first-in-the-nation GOP caucus on Monday.
In a post on Truth Social, the former president insisted that the 2024 presidential caucus will take place as normal amid concerns for low voter turnout as the state is gripped by a winter freeze with temperatures dropping to around minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill factor making it seem far colder.
The severe conditions had led to concerns that the elderly, normally a key demographic during any caucus, will not make the journey to any of the near 1,500 sites in Iowa which will hold events where supporters of each candidate will speak about who they believe should be the GOP's next presidential nominee prior to a secret ballot being held.
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Trump is the clear frontrunner in the Iowa caucus and the GOP primary overall. The former president has tried for more than three years to undermine the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Joe Biden, by falsely claiming it was "rigged" due to widespread voter fraud.
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"Be on the lookout for dirty tricks. The Iowa Caucus is 100% on for Monday night, January 15th," Trump wrote on social media.
"It will not be canceled or postponed under any circumstances. Don't listen to any dishonest RINOS [Republicans in name only] or Globalists that say otherwise! You should arrive by 6:30PM, as the Caucus starts at 7:00PM sharp, and you CANNOT be late!"
Historically, Iowa caucuses are sparsely attended compared to the population of the state. In 2016, nearly 187,000 votes were cast in the Republican caucus—which was won by Texas Senator Ted Cruz—in a state which has a population of more than 3.2 million.
The freezing temperatures have led to concerns that the less than representative Iowa results may be even more so if key caucus-goers chose not to attend one of the caucus sites to spend potentially hours hearing who should be the state's 2024 Republican presidential pick.
"This'll be worse than we've ever had," Doug Gross, a former top aide to ex-Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, told the Associated Press. "It's going to dampen turnout." Gross added that his own 90-year-old mother said she will not turn out to her local caucus site because of the extreme weather conditions.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Indianola on Sunday, Trump urged people to attend the Iowa caucus even if it means they die as a result.
"You can't sit home," Trump said. "If you're sick as a dog...even if you vote and then pass away, it's worth it."
Trump's office has been contacted for comment via email.
A final NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa poll released on the eve of Monday's caucus shows Trump is the clear favorite on 48 percent, with former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley nearly 30 points behind in second place (20 percent) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis third on 16 percent.
Crucially, Trump is the preferred candidate among those considered the most enthusiastic and committed likely caucus-goers, which suggests that even the freezing temperatures will not put these voters off from backing the former president on Monday night.
"I know there's a lot of controversy on him, but I just feel like he's the man for the job right now," Owen Monds, 34, of Des Moines, told NBC. "You know, I don't feel like anybody else who's running is really qualified like he is."
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