The atmosphere in Sioux City, Iowa, seemed like a typical Donald Trump campaign rally, complete with MAGA regalia, patriotic flags, and Team Trump logos. However, there was a noticeable absence—Donald Trump himself. Instead, South Dakota's governor, Kristi Noem, spoke on his behalf, emphasizing the need for his leadership to prevent situations like those in the Middle East.
As the Iowa caucuses draw near on January 15, Trump has chosen to delegate much of his campaign trail presence to surrogates like Noem, Ben Carson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Eric Trump. These high-profile events, leading up to the caucuses, serve as both a public audition for potential roles in a future Trump cabinet and a chance to boost the surrogates' profiles in the MAGA universe.
The lineup also includes Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Mike Huckabee, Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, Kari Lake, Brenna Bird, and Roseanne Barr, among others. The surrogates leverage these events to gather personal information for follow-up communications with supporters and enhance their political careers.
Political observers note that these public displays of loyalty could be strategic moves by individuals vying for positions in a potential Trump administration. Kurt Bardella, a Democratic strategist, sees it as a live audition, where surrogates aim to curry favor with Trump and secure high-profile positions if he wins.
While Trump's family members, including Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., have been part of past campaigns, Eric Trump appears to be making an extra effort to impress his father. The significance of these surrogate events becomes more pronounced amid Trump's legal challenges and the need to select a running mate.
Noem's recent event overshadowed rival Ron DeSantis's gatherings, raising speculation about her potential vice-presidential candidacy. The loyalty displayed by these surrogates aligns with Trump's preference for subservience, creating an intriguing dynamic as the caucuses draw near. Despite Trump's absence on the campaign trail, his dominance is evident in polling, with a Fox News poll putting him at 52% among likely Republican caucus goers in Iowa.
As Trump plans eight in-person events before the caucuses, the absence of star power among his opponents' surrogates could potentially impact their appeal. Haley's backers include Will Hurd and Chris Sununu, while DeSantis relies on support from Kim Reynolds and Bob Vander Plaats. However, none seem to generate the same level of enthusiasm as Trump's allies, particularly Marjorie Taylor Greene, who proudly declares herself a "Maga extremist." The surrogates' influence and the surrogate operation's effectiveness remain key factors in the lead-up to the Iowa caucuses.