DES MOINES – President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One Thursday afternoon to speak at the Iowa Fairgrounds.
The evening kicked off America250’s celebration of the 249th birthday of the United States. President Trump made good on his promise to make Iowa his first destination on the national tour.
“This is a celebration of our great American flag,” President Trump said. “We promised to make Iowa the first stop on our tour, and we started right here.”
The Big, Beautiful Bill
The event started with a speech from Jeff Kauffman, the Iowa Grand Old Party (GOP) Chairman. Kauffman made mention of the Big, Beautiful Bill and its passing.
“It’s not just beautiful, it’s the right thing to do,” Kauffman said. “We want the resources to go back to the people, and that’s beautiful. It’s not only beautiful, it’s the right thing to do.
Kauffman wasn’t the only speaker to bring up the bill. Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley also commented on its passing.
“We need a White House that will take action on behalf of U.S. citizens,” Ernst said. “We are lowering taxes, prioritizing rural America and growing America while working to keep tax dollars in the people’s pockets.”
Similar to Ernst, Grassley also highlighted its passing. Grassley went into further detail, explaining what the bill is expected to fund.
“It strengthens national defense significantly,” Grassley said. “We’re going to finish the wall, and add to the number of people enforcing immigration laws both inside and out.”
The bill is expected to raise interest rates on privately funded student loans.
“I think the good outweighs the bad,” Nick Harms, a sophomore at Iowa State, said. “Sure, some parts of the bill aren’t the best, but you have to take the positive with the negative.”
“Cutting down inflation, one egg at a time”
Next to the Big, Beautiful Bill, President Trump also claimed to have eliminated inflation across the Midwest. According to Trump, eggs were the first to drop.
“Have you seen the price of eggs lately?” Trump said. “The first thing they did when I got elected was blame me for the cost of eggs, and I told them, ‘I just got here,’ and if you’ve noticed, the price of eggs has gone down substantially.”
President Trump also mentioned cutting the cost of ethanol, a contributor to rising gas prices in the wake of the pipeline.
“[Ethanol] is still important to Iowans,” Trump said. “We’ve continued to fight inflation, gas prices included.”
Trump praised Brooke Rollins, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, for her efforts to keep costs low and fight for rural America.
“The work she’s doing is incredible,” Trump said. “Under her control, we promise to fight for rural America and do everything in our power to protect farmers all around the country, starting right here in Iowa.”
Empower farmers, “put them in charge”
Before President Trump’s speech, Rollins took the stage to deliver a message of her own. Like many farmers and small-town Iowans, Rollins herself grew up on a farm.
“I was just an FFA kid in a town of 1200,” Rollins said. “I’m not from Iowa, but I grew up baling hay and barrel racing just like many of you.”
Rollins added that President Trump’s mission is to put America first, starting with the farmers.
“President Trump will be the first to tell you to love your country,” Rollins said. “It was patriotism that brought the first farmers to sink plows into the beautiful, rich earth right here in the state of Iowa.”
According to another attendee, Caden Sprouse, it’s the younger generation of farmers who will have the tools necessary for success.
“Compared to other rallies that I’ve attended, there was a much higher turnout of the younger generation,” Sprouse said. “[Trump] has always cared about Iowa, especially the rural populations.”
Militant success, “enlistments at an all-time high”
In addition to ‘America’s 249th birthday,’ speakers at the event highlighted the 250th anniversary of the United States military and all of its fallen soldiers. To Rollins, one Iowan in particular comes to mind.
“We’re reminded of 24-year-old Martin Treptow, a barber from northwest Iowa who gave his life for his country,” Rollins said. “Just like [Treptow] and other soldiers who gave their lives for this country, we will work, save, sacrifice, and endure this struggle for this country as if it were ours alone.”
According to President Trump, the country has also seen a spike in the number of people enlisting in the armed forces over the last decade.
“It used to be that people didn’t want to join the military,” Trump said. “They had a hard time getting anybody to enlist, but that’s not what we’re seeing today.”
Trump’s remarks were backed by U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley, who also commented on the success of the United States military.
“As a nation, we can continue to slide into steady decline, or choose restoration of American vigor, patriotism, and purpose,” Crowley said. “It’s our responsibility to carry that spirit forward.”
Trump’s promise to ”bring back common sense”
President Trump concluded his speech with the promise that under his control, the United States would not fall into Communist rule.
“Generations before us did not shed their blood only for us to surrender this great nation,” Trump said. “As your President of the United States, I’m proclaiming that America will never be communist again.”
Trump continued to oppose the idea of climate change and challenge the idea that every American will drive a fully electric car in the near future, calling it ‘a great big scam.’
“The electric vehicle mandate is insane,” Trump said. “We’re going to have electric if people want it, but some people like gasoline better.”
President Trump also condemned the idea of mandating something both he and his supporters see as “your choice.”
“The idea of mandating something like that is ridiculous,” Trump said. “Let the people decide what they want and when they want it.”
President Trump ended his speech with a promise to his supporters, “Together, we will bring back common sense and make America great again.”
See photos here.
