Donald Trump Supporters Undeterred as They Face Freezing Iowa Temperatures

Voters supporting Donald Trump’s bid for a return to the White House have turned up in force to back their preferred candidate in Iowa—despite risking frostbite and hypothermia to do so.

The Midwest state, like much of the country, has been gripped by Arctic conditions as temperatures have plunged well below zero. But hundreds of fans of the former president, who is currently battling myriad legal charges, were prepared to stand in line in the snow as they awaited entry to a Trump rally in Indianola on Sunday.

Monday’s events in Iowa will be watched closely by the rest of the U.S. because the state is the first to hold its caucus and has historically been seen as a litmus test for how candidates will perform elsewhere on the campaign trail.

The Democrats are not voting at their own Iowa event this year—they will vote by mail instead, although President Joe Biden is largely uncontested—meaning even more attention than usual is focused on the Republican event.

Many more are expected to head out of their warm homes on Monday to participate in the GOP caucus, where they will vote for the politician they want to stand for election later this year.

As the temperature plummeted to -17 degrees Fahrenheit in Indianola, most church services were canceled on Sunday over public safety concerns; frostbite can occur once the mercury drops below zero, while hypothermia is also a risk.

But the fiery heat of enthusiasm saw Trump hundreds of supporters ignoring warnings to stay home, choosing instead to stand in the snow ahead of Trump’s final pre-caucus rally in Iowa on Sunday evening. CBS shared a video of the scene on X (formerly known as Twitter), which can be viewed below:

The Trump campaign had provided some heated buses, so those waiting in line could step onboard to warm up a little if someone else held their place for them in the line.

Voters who turned up to show their support said braving the cold was worth it. “Trump is a Christian. He’s trustworthy,” said Kathy DeAngelo, a 71-year-old retired hospital administrative employee, during an interview with The Associated Press. “He believes in America. And he believes in freedom. He’s the only one.”

Speaking at the event at Simpson College later, Trump told the crowd: “If this is any indication, the storm has had zero effect. You’re very hearty people, I’ve heard that.” His team had feared the weather may put off many of his elderly supporters or those in remote rural areas from venturing outside.

But Trump encouraged people to vote for him at the following day’s caucus, despite any risks to their health—and said their deaths would be worth it. “You can’t sit home,” Trump said. “If you’re sick as a dog, you say, ‘Darling, I gotta make it.’ Even if you vote and then pass away, it’s worth it.”

And his political allies have also urged voters out into the extreme winter weather, with Marjorie Taylor Greene posting a photo of herself on X standing in front of a large snowbank with the caption: “I’m here in Iowa, the snow and subzero temps won’t stop my SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP! It’s time to show up, be safe, and deliver Iowa for President Trump in HISTORIC fashion! See you at the caucus at 6:30pm tomorrow night!”

Iowans can expect to experience temperatures as low as -14 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, although “dangerously cold wind chills” may make it feel as low as 45 degrees below zero. The National Weather Service said such conditions could lead to “frostbite and hypothermia in a matter of minutes if not properly dressed for the conditions.”

Nevertheless, more than 1,500 venues—mostly schools, churches and community centers—will host caucus events to debate each Republican candidate before casting secret ballots.

Pollsters believe Trump currently has a massive lead over his main rivals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, despite the former president’s legal challenges.