Reynolds says Trump ads are misleading

Governor Kim Reynolds spoke with reporters Monday outside Terrace Hill in Des Moines (Radio Iowa photo)

ANKENY — Governor Kim Reynolds is accusing former President Trump of airing an advertisement that misleads Iowans. Reynolds endorsed Trump rival Ron DeSantis in November.

The ads currently airing in Iowa feature statements Reynolds made in the past that praise Trump — and Reynolds mentioned the ad as she campaigned with DeSantis. “It is time for a new leader,” Reynolds says. “It is time for a leader that can win and, most importantly, it is time for a leader that can serve eight years, not just four.”

Reynolds cites a timeline that started with Trump being “very upset” that she hadn’t endorsed him, then Trump said her public backing wasn’t worth anything when she endorsed DeSantis. “Now, he’s using me to mislead Iowans as if I’m endorsing him and I want to be clear, you know I supported President Trump in 2016. I voted for him. I supported him in 2020. I supported his polities, but it’s a different day,” Reynolds says. “It’s a different time.”

Reynolds says it’s o.k. for Iowans to move on from Trump. Trump called Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird Iowa’s most popular politician during his campaign event in Waterloo. Bird endorsed Trump in October.