Trump: I could 'shoot somebody' and not lose votes
SIOUX CENTER, Ia. — Donald Trump told a crowd in Sioux Center on Saturday that he could "shoot somebody" and not lose traction with voters.
“You know what else they say about my people? The polls, they say I have the most loyal people," Trump said. "Did you ever see that? Where I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK? It’s like incredible.”
But Trump also said he wasn't taking any chances here in Iowa, where it's finally "crunch time." He said he's begun to spend money on television ads to counter attacks that he's seen from other candidates.
“I went into the hotel that I stayed in here last night, which was a very nice hotel, and I’m watching all these ads," Trump said. "I’m watching them for Carson. I’m watching them for Rubio. I’m watching them for Cruz. I’m watching all these ads. I don’t want to take a chance. Because you may believe some of those ads. By the way, those ads are total bull---- … OK?”
Trump also took the opportunity to make some attacks of his own, targeting Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who is his primary rival here in Iowa, as well as conservative radio personality Glenn Beck, who is campaigning with Cruz in the state today.
“His show’s failing. He’s failing. He’s always crying," Trump said of Beck, whom he called a "sad sack."
Trump also went on an extended riff criticizing the conservative magazine National Review, which published a series of articles this week denouncing Trump.
The Republican businessman spoke at Dordt College, a private, Christian liberal arts college in Iowa's heavily Republican northwest corner.
He opened by discussing religious issues, saying Christians need to band together to maintain their strength. Some have questioned Trump's religious convictions. He joked with the crowd Saturday that he didn't bring his communion pictures along to prove himself.
“I think you believe me, right?” he said.
Cheryl Carlson, a 67-year-old pastor's wife from Storm Lake, said she is still trying to decide who she'll caucus for. She likes Trump, Cruz and Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.
"Definitely I’ll keep him in the list," she said. "He didn’t say anything really different than I’ve heard. I cringe at his vernacular. It just is — he’s hard to listen to. I just don’t know."
At an afternoon event in Pella, Trump devoted a solid 10 minutes of his remarks to defending eminent domain, the government right to buy out private property for the development of infrastructure and other public uses.
“I don’t love eminent domain, but you need it,” he said. “Otherwise you don’t have a country. You won't have any highways, you won’t have any railroads, you won’t have any of these things, and you won’t have any pipelines.”
Republicans rivals have hit Trump hard on the issue recently, noting a high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful attempt by his company to take property for a casino project in New Jersey.
Eminent domain concerns have resonated in Iowa in the last year because of proposed oil pipeline and transmission line projects. And it’s a particular hot button in the south-central pocket of Iowa where Trump spoke on Saturday afternoon, where landowners have bitterly opposed the prospect of eminent domain takings for a new regional airport.
AT THE EVENT
SETTING: Trump spoke at the B.J. Haan Auditorium at Dordt College, a private, Christian liberal arts college in Sioux Center. In Pella, he spoke from an auditorium on the Central College campus.
CROWD: The 1,500-person auditorium at Dordt was filled to capacity with hundreds more sent to an overflow room. In Pella, he filled the venue with several hundred people, and perhaps 400 more crowded into an overflow room to watch his speech from a closed-circuit television feed. After his speech, Trump visited the attendees in the overflow room.
REACTION: The Sioux Center crowd cheered loudly when Trump said: “I’m a true believer. And you’re many true believers. I hope all. Is everybody a true believer in this room?” Trump's reception was boisterous in Pella, as well. When he came to his famous line about building a wall along the southern border, he asked who would pay for it and the crowd shouted back, "Mexico!"
WHAT’S NEXT: Trump returns to Iowa on Jan. 26 for events in Marshalltown and Iowa City. Check DesMoinesRegister.com/candidatetracker for more details.