Sioux City will once again play host to former President Donald Trump as he returns to the Orpheum Theatre for a campaign rally on January 13, just two days prior to the Iowa Caucuses. The event, called the Commit to Caucus Rally, is set to begin at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 3 p.m., as announced on Trump’s website. This will mark Trump’s second appearance at the downtown Sioux City theater in a span of three months.
During his previous campaign event at the Orpheum on October 29, Trump made headlines for comparing his challenger Ron DeSantis to a wounded bird falling from the sky. Trump expressed his satisfaction in watching DeSantis falter, claiming credit for his election as the Florida governor.
Following the rally at the Orpheum Theatre, Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks in Cherokee on January 14 at the Little Sioux Event Center. The campaign event will commence at 4 p.m., with doors open to the public starting at 1 p.m.
In recent polls, Trump leads his primary challengers in Iowa by double digits, demonstrating his popularity among Republican voters in the state. Despite losing the 2016 Iowa caucuses to Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Trump managed to secure the nomination and presidency.
Originally, Trump was slated to make an appearance at Dordt University on January 5, but the event has been relocated to the Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center. A statement from Dordt University stated that the Trump campaign’s vision for the event was incongruent with that of the university, resulting in the change of venue.
Dordt University maintains a neutral stance on politics and invites all political candidates in good standing with their party to visit the campus during each election cycle. They intended the event to be educational in nature, allowing students to ask questions of the candidates. However, the Trump campaign desired a rally format, which ultimately did not align with Dordt’s vision.
As preparations continue for the upcoming Iowa Caucuses, Trump’s return to Sioux City is anticipated to draw a significant crowd of enthusiastic supporters.
