Donald Trump vows to 'take back' US from Biden after landslide victory in Iowa

16 January 2024, 06:06 | Updated: 16 January 2024, 08:32

Donald Trump appears at a caucus night party in Des Moines, Iowa
Donald Trump appears at a caucus night party in Des Moines, Iowa. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Donald Trump has won the Republican party's Iowa caucuses, with Ron DeSantis projected to beat Nikki Haley in second place.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Trump's landslide victory was called within just 30 minutes as supporters endured freezing temperatures to vote.

The former president's success comes despite him facing several legal challenges which could complicate his bid to return to the White House.

It is just the first stage of him likely being picked as Republican candidate for November's election.

Trump will face a months-long effort to secure the nomination for a third consecutive time.

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida governor Ron DeSantis are Trump's most prominent primary rivals.

They both went head-to-head for a second-place finish in Iowa in a bid to get some momentum heading into future races.

Read more: Judge in Donald Trump fraud trial faces bomb threat at home, as former president blasts 'terrible witch hunt'

Read more: Donald Trump barred from running for president in Colorado over 'insurrection' as legal team vows to fight court ruling

Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis. Picture: Alamy

Celebrating his victory, Trump paid tribute to all of his children, including his youngest son, Barron, who was "watching on TV".

He also paid tribute to his late mother-in-law who died last week, saying she was "looking down" from heaven and would be "proud".

Looking forward to the election, he said the "big night is going to be in November when we take back our country".

The 77-year-old went on to congratulate Haley and DeSantis, saying they had a "good time together".

"I also want to congratulate Vivek because he did one hell of a job. He came from zero… that’s an amazing job," Trump said.

Vivek Ramaswamy previously announced that he would be suspending his campaign.

Nikki Haley
Nikki Haley. Picture: Alamy

Iowa is an uneven predictor of who will ultimately lead Republicans into the general election.

George W Bush's 2000 victory was the last time a Republican candidate won in Iowa and went on to become the party's standard-bearer.

Trump has spent much of the past year crafting a more professional organisation in Iowa than his efforts in 2016, when Texas senator Ted Cruz carried the caucuses.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries

Rhiannon Skye Whyte was stabbed to death in Walsall

South Sudanese teen accused of murdering asylum seeker hotel worker with screwdriver 'refuses to appear in court'

Will Guyatt questions who is responsible for the safety of children online

Are Zuckerberg and Musk responsible for looking after my kids online?

Simone White has died following a poisoning with alcoholic drinks at a bar in Loas

British lawyer, 28, dies following suspected mass methanol poisoning at bar in Laos

Russia has claimed that Britain is directly involved in the war in Ukraine

Britain now 'directly involved in war in Ukraine', Russian ambassador to UK says

Finlay MacDonald is accused of trying to murder his wife Rowena

Jealous husband 'murdered brother-in-law and tried to kill wife' after finding text saying she planned to leave him

Teenager jailed for least 22 years after fatally stabbing motorbike enthusiast who named attacker in dying breath

Teenager jailed for at least 22 years after fatally stabbing motorbike enthusiast who named attacker in dying breath

Pie fortune heir Dylan Thomas, 24, has been found guilty of murdering his best friend William Bush (R)

Heir to £230m pie fortune found guilty of murdering his best friend on Christmas Eve

Matt Hancock giving evidence at the Covid 19 inquiry

Matt Hancock says government 'got it wrong' with funeral restrictions and visiting dying relatives during pandemic

Body parts - inlcuding arms, legs and a head - belonging to 38-year-old Sarah Mayhew were found in Rowdown Fields in Croydon

Couple facing life in prison after admitting murdering woman and dumping dismembered body parts

'But where are the hams?': Police launch manhunt after thieves steal €200,000 of prized Christmas meat

Police hunt Spanish hamburglars after thieves steal €200,000 of prized Christmas meat

The new advert was published this week.

Rebranded Jaguar sparks further backlash after teasing new car model akin to ‘Tesla Cybertruck’

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 last year

Arrest warrants issued for Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence minister and Hamas chief over 'war crimes'

Matt Hancock giving evidence at the Covid 19 inquiry

Matt Hancock tells Covid inquiry government did 'everything we possibly could' during pandemic

Matt Hancock was booed as he arrived to testify at the Covid-19 inquiry

Matt Hancock booed as he arrives to give evidence at Covid inquiry

Four days of weather alerts are in place for the arrival of Storm Bert

Storm Bert set to bring snow, blizzards and downpours as four days of weather warnings issued