A reporter for CNN and her camera crew were called out by former President Donald Trump and booed during a campaign event in Iowa on Monday as GOP voters went to the polls in the country’s first-of-the-cycle primary.
“I just want to thank you all. Now while I’m here, unlike Biden… Biden would never do this. It would be the end of his political career, although the press with the fake news over there would give him a pass,” Trump said during a speech before pointing to a camera crew: “Are you with the news?”
“Yes… We’re with CNN,” the reporter responded, followed by a wave of boos.
WATCH:
Later, Trump addressed reporters at a hotel as ballot counting began.
“Great night and fantastic place,” Trump said about Iowa. “We’ve won it twice, as you know, the last two elections, and I think we’re gonna have a fantastic night tonight.
“The people are fantastic, and I’ve never seen spirit like they have — countrywide, but in Iowa, I’ve never seen spirit like this, thank you,” Trump said, turning away from the camera as reporters shouted questions at him.
Trump makes one of the truest statements a presidential contender will ever make:
"If the fake news would become real and honest news, 90 percent of our problems in this country would be solved." Cue applause.
SPOT. ON. pic.twitter.com/EoIXi9XLY4
— USA Features Media (@UsaFeatures) January 16, 2024
Trump went on to win the Iowa caucus with more than 51% of the vote, ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with about 21.2 percent and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley with 19.1 percent.
He addressed his two closest rivals’ performances after the race was called.
“I really think this is time now for everybody to come together, whether it is Republican or Democrat or liberal or conservative. It would be so nice if we could come together and straighten out the world and straighten out the problems and all of the death and destruction that we’re witnessing that has practically never been seen,” he said. “I want to make that a big part of our message. We’re going to come together.
“I want to congratulate Ron and Nikki for having a good time together,” Trump told supporters. “They had a good time together, and I think they both actually did very well. We don’t even know what the outcome of second place is.”
“I also want to congratulate Vivek because he did a hell of a job. He came from zero, and he’s got a big percent, probably almost eight percent, and that is an amazing job,” Trump said. “Very smart people, very capable people.”
