Trump Goes Off On “Scammer” Evangelical Leader Who Endorsed DeSantis

On Tuesday, Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president, which was seen as a big win for DeSantis, who trails President Trump in the polls.

Ron DeSantis has earned the endorsement of key Iowa Evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats, who tells @MacFarlaneNews more about his choice to endorse the Florida governor and his thoughts on former Pres. Trump and the current GOP 2024 candidate field. pic.twitter.com/DyaCDW4YB1

— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 22, 2023

On Saturday, President Trump went off on Vander Plaats, whom he accused of asking for bribes for his endorsement.

From The Hill:

“Bob Vander Plaats, the former High School Accountant from Iowa, will do anything to win, something which he hasn’t done in many years,” Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social. “He’s more known for scamming Candidates than he is for Victory, but now he’s going around using Disinformation from the Champions of that Art, the Democrats.”

“I don’t believe anything Bob Vander Plaats says,” he continued. “Anyone who would take $95,000, and then endorse a Candidate who is going nowhere, is not what Elections are all about!”

In his endorsement Tuesday, the evangelical leader told Fox News’s Brett Baier that Republicans need “somebody who can win in 2024.” His backing comes two weeks after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds put her support behind the Florida governor.

WATCH: FULL INTERVIEW WITH BOB VANDER PLAATS (@bobvanderplaats)

Vander Plaats endorsed Desantis on Fox News with Brett Baier pic.twitter.com/S2FJHzowXW

— Michael Leonard (@MichaelHLeonard) November 21, 2023

He also pointed to significant losses in 2022, claiming “the supposedly red wave really only happened in Florida and in Iowa.”

“Gov. DeSantis took a reliable toss-up state in Florida and made it complete red, won by 20 points, won in demographics that we haven’t won in,” said Vander Plaats, who currently serves as the CEO and president of The Family Leader. “But he’s also done that by being a bold and courageous leader.”

Following the announcement, Trump’s campaign sent out a mocking email with the subject: “Bob Vander Plaat$ Endorses A Candidate Who Will Never Be President.”

“Over 150 faith leaders in Iowa are organizing their congregations for President Trump and not a single one demanded nearly $100k like Bob Vander Plaat$ did from Ron DeSanctus,” the campaign said in a statement. “When you are actually the leader of a movement like President Trump is, people are willing to support you for free,” the campaign said in a statement.