Trump to hold rallies in Iowa, Georgia

Former President Trump is planning to hold rallies in Iowa and Georgia as he seeks to exert his influence over the GOP and toys with a 2024 presidential bid.

Details are still being arranged for the two events, but a source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill that the two states will host Trump for rallies. 

Iowa is a crucial state on the election calendar, traditionally holding the nation’s first nominating contest. Georgia is a key swing state that went for a Democratic presidential nominee for the first time in decades in 2020 and has been the epicenter of Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. 

Trump has looked to maintain his perch as the de facto head of the Republican Party, attending fundraisers, holding rallies and doling out endorsements to candidates across the country who are eager to tap into his connection with the GOP electorate.

Those efforts in part have kept him at the top of most polls of potential 2024 primary candidates, indicating he’d be the odds-on favorite to win the GOP presidential nomination in three years if he decides to make a third White House run.

The former president raised eyebrows earlier this month when he hired two top GOP operatives in Iowa.

Trump has also asserted his presence in Georgia, supporting a flood of lawsuits fruitlessly seeking to overturn his defeat there and backing a poll showing Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who has refuted claims of voter fraud, in a poor position ahead of his own primary. 

While Trump’s flirtations with a 2024 campaign have helped put other would-be candidates in limbo, some have apparently started laying the groundwork for their own bids. Former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and more have traveled to Iowa and other swing states.

Other potential candidates include Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R).

Trump has repeatedly declined to definitively say if he’s running, though has said his supporters will be “happy” with his choice.