Celebrities speak out after Donald Trump wins Iowa caucus

Several celebrities have shared their thoughts on social media, after Donald Trump cruised to victory in the Iowa caucuses on Monday night.

The Associated Press called the race soon after the caucuses convened across the state, before some sites had even finished making speeches in support of each candidate. With virtually all votes accounted for, the former president was at 51 percent, 30 points ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in second with around 21 percent and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley third on just over 19 percent. Trump’s success in the Iowa caucuses has cemented his place early on as the favorite to clinch the Republican 2024 presidential nomination.

As news of Trump’s victory circulated, country music star John Rich, who is an avowed Trump supporter, shared a message on X, formerly Twitter.

“All the people playing both sides of the fence have to show for their wishy washiness these past few months is a big load of splinters in their a**,” he wrote. “Congrats to @realDonaldTrump for absolutely demolishing the field.”

Another X user said in response that it was not “the finish I was hoping for, but @GovRonDeSantis has the organization to win the race (marathon, not sprint) WHEN The Donald trades in his 5th Avenue suits for jumpsuits.”

“So instead of planning to win based on the strength of your candidate, you’re planning to win based on the demise of the other candidate?” Rich responded. “Copy that.”

“I live in a country where I’m stressed out about falling asleep during the #iowacaucus for fear of waking up and learning that Joe Biden won somehow,” added conservative commentator Candace Owens in an apparent reference to Trump’s claim that he was cheated in the 2020 election despite a lack of evidence showing that.

Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly commented on Trump’s win, days after calling him “compelling,” “funny” and “interesting” while watching him during a recent town hall.

“Trump wins Iowa easily. Honestly—what a comeback versus where he was after 2020. It’s truly stunning,” wrote Kelly on X.

In a follow-up post, Kelly added that the prompt calling of the former president as the victor was “a real testament to Trump’s formidable strength.”

On the other side of the political aisle, singer and actress Bette Midler shared an unflattering illustration of Trump that read: “In your guts, you know he’s nuts.”

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill shared his feelings by responding with a broken heart emoji to an Iowa-based Trump detractor who complained about the win.

They wrote: “Imagine, being from Iowa like me, and living amongst a bunch of MAGA dumba****, making a**** of themselves being interviewed on our local news channels supporting dumba** Trump. I am in the Twilight Zone. Can I get some sympathy?”

Hamill also responded to writer and LGBTQ activist Charlotte Clymer, who asked: “So, when Haley and DeSantis do eventually drop out, are they gonna urge the country to oppose Trump or has this all been self-absorbed theatre?”

“Given the fact that both of them promised to pardon him, I’m guessing it’s the latter,” he wrote back.

Trump is facing legal issues surrounding his 2020 loss to Biden. On January 6, 2021, a violent mob of Trump supporters stormed the building in Washington, D.C, in an attempt to stop Congress certifying the result of the 2020 election and the victory of Biden.

In August 2023, Trump was indicted on four counts by the Department of Justice in relation to the riot, including conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. Trump has pled not guilty and has said that the case against him is politically motivated.

Trump has long been the GOP frontrunner in the polls, which also suggested that he would have no issue winning Iowa. All eyes will now be on the first-in-the-nation primary vote in New Hampshire on January 23, which is expected to be a closer race, albeit with Trump still the considered the leader.