Ron DeSantis touts support for Iowa governor, love of Blizzards, in jab at Trump in Boone
BOONE — In pointed jab at former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday touted the work of fellow GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa, including signing a so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill that bans most abortions in the state, saying she's a model for the Republican Party.
"We really should be thankful as Republicans that they have such a great governor here in Governor Reynolds," DeSantis said at the Boone Dairy Queen. "She's done a fantastic job. She just had huge victory, signing ... today the heartbeat bill."
Trump slammed Reynolds last week, criticizing her in a Truth Social post for choosing to remain neutral in the 2024 Iowa caucuses rather than endorsing his candidacy.
"I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won," Trump wrote in an apparent reference to her narrow 2018 election over Democrat Fred Hubbell. "Now, she wants to remain 'NEUTRAL.' I don't invite her to events!"
Reynolds signed the abortion bill Friday. The new law, which took effect immediately, prohibits nearly all abortions after doctors detect cardiac activity in the embryo, which can occur about six weeks into a pregnancy.
"She's done so much over so many different issues to make this one of the best-governed states in the country," DeSantis said. "I'm happy to support her efforts here and really hold her up as a great model for a lot of Republicans around the country."
DeSantis touted his support for Reynolds at a Dairy Queen with a blender whirring in the background. It was a setting apparently chosen in relation to another dig he made at Trump, who during a visit to Council Bluffs last week visited a Dairy Queen.
Trump approached the counter surrounded by supporters and asked for DQ's signature treat.
"Everybody wants a Blizzard," he said. "What the hell is a Blizzard?"
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DeSantis on Friday displayed no confusion about the confection. Though he made no direct reference to Trump, he said he's been eating DQ Blizzards since he was a kid.
He ordered an Oreo Blizzard along with Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, both of whom met with about three dozen farmers at a farm near Boone to talk about ag issues.
More: Donald Trump in Iowa declares himself 'the most pro-farmer president in history'
DeSantis, a former member of Congress, noted that Dairy Queen is a favorite of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who frequently stop at them during his annual visits to each of Iowa's 99 counties.
DeSantis pledges to oppose California animal welfare law
DeSantis, who spoke briefly to the press before hearing from farmers Friday, vowed to address issues like Proposition 12 in California that requires meat and eggs sold in the state to come from sows, hens and veal calves that have enough room in their pens to stand up, turn around and extend their limbs.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld California’s animal welfare law in May, defeating a challenge from pork producers in Iowa and elsewhere who usually confine sows to gestation crates they say prevent them from fighting and from rolling over on their piglets. They say they face investing millions of dollars to modify their operations to sell bacon, chops and other products in one of the nation’s largest consumer markets, which produces little pork of its own.
"We can't have California regulating how the entire country does agriculture," DeSantis said. "Prop 12 and the Supreme Court decision was a big disappointment. We need to fix that."
DeSantis also touched on increasing domestic fuel production, which includes ethanol and biodiesel, and lifting federal regulations on agricultural and biofuels production.
Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: After Trump slams Reynolds, DeSantis says she's doing a 'fantastic job'
