Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Trump Rips Evangelical Leader For 'Scamming Candidates' After DeSantis Endorsement—And Yeah, That Is Rich

Donald Trump; Bob Vander Plaats
Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images; Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

Donald Trump accused Bob Vander Plaats of 'scamming candidates' on Truth Social after the evangelical leader endorsed Ron DeSantis for president.

Former President Donald Trump was mocked online after he accused evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats of "scamming candidates" on Truth Social after Vander Plaats endorsed Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump's 2024 opponent.

Trump labeled Vander Plaats a "former High School Accountant from Iowa" who is more adept at swindling candidates than securing victories. Trump dismissed Vander Plaats' credibility, accusing him of disseminating disinformation borrowed from the Democrats and ridiculing his endorsement of a candidate whom Trump claimed is "going nowhere."


Trump wrote:

“Bob Vander Plaats, the former High School Accountant from Iowa, will do anything to win, something which he hasn’t done in many years. 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. Anyone who would take $95,000, and then endorse a Candidate who is going nowhere, is not what Elections are all about!”

You can see his post below.

Screenshot of Donald Trump's post on Truth Social@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

Vander Plaats' endorsement of DeSantis came amidst a surge of support for the Florida governor, especially following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' backing just two weeks prior. Vander Plaats emphasized the significance of DeSantis's leadership, attributing the so-called "red wave" in Florida and Iowa's political landscape to DeSantis's "bold" and resolute governance.

In response to Vander Plaats' endorsement, Trump's campaign derided the Iowa evangelical leader, insinuating financial motivations behind the endorsement and asserting that genuine support for Trump doesn't demand monetary transactions:

“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. When you are actually the leader of a movement like President Trump is, people are willing to support you for free."
“Kim Reynolds’ endorsement won’t save Ron DeSanctus, and neither will Vander Plaat$’ endorsement."

But the notion that Vander Plaats was "scamming" people was rich coming from Trump, who has been under multiple investigations for alleged financial crimes and for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election based on lies he has continued to parrot for fundraising purposes.

People immediately criticized Trump and called out his hypocrisy.



Vander Plaats later said that Trump "is the only candidate" he's interacted with who "thought [his] endorsement was for sale," adding:

"And, Iowa will exhibit higher standards when they choose [DeSantis] over a Chump."

Despite Vander Plaats' endorsement, DeSantis is well behind Trump in national polling for the Republican presidential race as the countdown to the January 15 Iowa caucuses—marking the official start of the 2024 primary season—enters its final 50-day stretch.

A recent poll released by The Washington Post/Monmouth University shows that Trump still holds a commanding lead at 46 percent. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has secured a strong second position, standing at 18 percent.

DeSantis, once considered a significant contender, finds himself in fifth place with only 7 percent support, behind former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who are polling at 11 percent and 8 percent respectively.

In Iowa, the most recent DesMoines Register poll shows Trump at 43% with Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis well behind in second place at 16%.

More from News/2024-election

Cover of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

People's Response To Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word Of The Year Just Proved Their Point

Merriam-Webster dictionary nailed it with their 2024 Word of the Year selection that accurately defined the divisive reaction to the 2024 presidential election results.

The dictionary's account on X (formerly Twitter) declared this year's Word of the Year was, "Polarization," and joked:

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy Mace
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Nancy Mace Rages After Nobody Will Print Her Transphobic Holiday Wrapping Paper Design

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was called out after sharing a photo of her anti-trans wrapping paper design to lament that "no company" would print it due to its "offensive" nature.

Mace, who has courted significant controversy for her efforts to bar Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress, from using the bathroom that corresponds with her gender identity, shared on social media that she attempted to create custom wrapping paper, seemingly intended for raising campaign funds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eugenio Derbez; Selena Gomez
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images, Amy Sussman/Getty Images

'Coda' Star Apologizes After Selena Gomez's Classy Response To His 'Emilia Pérez' Criticism

Actor Eugenio Derbez walked back his harsh review of Selena Gomez's Spanish in the new musical crime comedy film Emilia Pérez after she responded with class to the tough criticism of not being a fluent speaker.

Gomez stars as Spanish-speaking character Jessi Del Monte, the wife of a cartel kingpin who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to start a new life as the titular Emilia Pérez.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump
NBC

Trump Dragged After Claiming He 'Started Using' The Word 'Groceries' During The Election

President-elect Donald Trump was dragged after claiming he "started using" the word "groceries" during the election—before asking, "Who uses the word?"

Trump, in an interview with Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, emphasized the soaring grocery prices affecting millions of Americans as a pivotal factor in his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House.

Keep ReadingShow less
man pointing up
Alex Sheldon on Unsplash

People Break Down Their 'I F*cking Knew It!' Experiences

Sometimes you feel like you just know something is true, even if you can't prove it.

You may find out you're completely wrong. People usually don't like to talk about or acknowledge when that happens.

Keep ReadingShow less