Iowa
How Iowa politicians are reacting to Biden and Trump’s first presidential debate
Biden and Trump clash in historic presidential debate
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clashed in a historic presidential debate. Here are five takeaways.
Iowa Republicans took advantage of President Joe Biden’s stage presence during Thursday’s debate to repeat their argument that he is not mentally fit to hold office.
Leading up to the debate Republicans, including U.S. Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa’s 1st District, were claiming that Biden would be on “drugs” to compensate for his “cognitive decline.”
However, Biden had moments where he was hard to hear and difficult to follow, allowing Republicans to return to a common allegation heard throughout both elections: Biden isn’t fit to lead the country.
More: Biden struggles in first joust with Trump: 5 takeaways from the presidential debate
Here are the responses from Iowa public officials following the first presidential debate.
Sen. Joni Ernst says President Joe Biden is ‘feeble-minded’
Joni Ernst, Iowa’s junior U.S. senator, double-downed on former President Donald Trump’s accusations that the country is in shambles under the current administration, and Trump is the only one who can turn things around.
“Americans saw the contrast on stage plain as day: a feeble-minded and weak-kneed man who let our country and the world fall apart, and Donald J. Trump, who will restore strength and leadership to the White House,” Ernst said on social media.
Joe Biden, Donald Trump respond to age concerns, capability in debate
Joe Biden, Donald Trump address capability and age concerns that voters have during the first 2024 presidential debate on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.
CNN
Ernst also attacked Biden regarding his handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Biden saw his lowest approval rating — 43%, according to an NPR/PBS poll in 2021 — after 13 servicemembers were killed leaving Afghanistan.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks highlights Donald Trump’s attacks against Joe Biden
Leading up to the debate, Miller-Meeks was on Fox News claiming that Biden could be on “stimulants” during the debate. She didn’t post about those allegations during the debate, however, she did affirm Trump’s attacks against Biden during the debate.
She called Tump’s criticism that no one in Biden’s administration was fired after the withdrawal from Afghanistan “spot on” and repeated a Trump criticism about not knowing what Biden said.
Rep. Ashley Hinson: Donald ‘Trump dominated’ first presidential debate
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s 2nd District released a statement that said regardless of politics Biden isn’t fit to be Commander-in-Chief and “was extremely concerning and hard to watch.”
“President Trump dominated tonight’s debate – he will secure our border, cut taxes for working families and restore American leadership on the world stage after four years of Biden’s failures,” Hinson said in her statement.
Rep. Randy Feenstra: Donald ‘Trump won’ the first presidential debate
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa’s 4th District said on social media that Trump will defend the border.
“President Trump won the debate going away,” Feenstra wrote in a post calling for Iowans to elect Trump in November. “President Trump will secure the border and stop inflation. Biden’s presidency, and his debate performance, are both massive failures.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds: Donald Trump is the best choice
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who endorsed Trump’s opponent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the Iowa Caucuses, made multiple posts on social media supporting Trump’s job as president during the debate.
“Under President Trump, we had a successful economy – jobs, higher wages and opportunity,” Reynolds said on X. “Under Biden? Inflation.”
Iowa GOP chairman: ‘Donald Trump was the winner’ of CNN Debate
Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement after the debate that Trump would clean up the mess that Biden made while in office.
“After tonight, it’s clear that President Donald Trump was the winner of the debate,” Kaufmann said in the statement. “Biden has once again shown the world that he is unfit to serve, a danger to our country, and an embarrassment on that stage.”
Kaufmann also attacked Iowa Democrats for celebrating Biden’s performance.
Iowa Democrats: Donald Trump will take country backward
The Iowa Democratic Party criticized Donald Trump and the “extreme agenda” of “MAGA Republicans” in a statement on social media.
Biden would create “a future that works for all of us,” the post said while highlighting headlines about union strikes, lower health care costs and climate change.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
One of the top Iowa high school football prospects in the state has made his college decision official.
Iowa City Regina High School senior-to-be Tate Wallace has announced he has verbally committed to the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference. Wallace picked the Golden Gophers and head coach PJ Fleck over a finalists Notre Dame, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State and Wisconsin.
Wallace narrowed down his list of schools to six at the end of April before making his final decision.
Iowa City Regina Football Standout Tate Wallace Ranked As No. 2 Overall Prospect In Iowa High School Football
The 6-foot-2, 226-pound linebacker is considered the No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Iowa for high school football, and is the No. 21 linebacker in the Class of 2027, according to 247Sports.
In the 247Sports Composite rankings, Wallace is No. 2 in Iowa high school football, No. 29 at linebacker and No. 359 for the Class of 2027.
Along With Minnesota, Tate Wallace Currently Holds Offers From Schools Such As Arizona, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Iowa State
Wallace currently holds 16 total offers including from the previously mentioned Minnesota, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Kansas State, Purdue, Tennessee, West Virginia, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, UNLV, North Dakota and North Dakota State.
As a junior, Wallace registered almost 50 tackles on defense, with 29 of them being counted as solo stops. He had 18 tackles for loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks and forced two fumbles, as Iowa City Regina advanced to the state championship game of the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Football Championships.
Future Minnesota Golden Gopher Has Been Key Two-Way Starter For Regals
Wallace also hauled in 40 passes for 611 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns on offense for the Regals. As a two-way player for Iowa City Regina during his sophomore season, Wallace had 27.5 tackles, including 16 solo stops, four tackles for loss and a quarterback sack, adding 51 receptions for 752 yards and eight touchdowns.
Back in March, Wallace announced seven spring visits to Notre Dame, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Kansas State and Arizona State. He also visited Tennessee this past fall, taking in an SEC contest with the Volunteers.
Along with his success on the football field, Wallace helped lead the Regals to the Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys State Basketball Tournament this past winter. He earned High School on SI all-state honors in the process.
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IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — Volunteers broke ground Saturday for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build, honoring a retired University of Iowa nursing professor.
Liz Swanson, a retired nursing professor, was chosen as this year’s honoree for her decades of impact. The Women Build program focuses on including women in every step of home construction.
While the home is built in Swanson’s honor, it will go to a fellow nurse and mother of three. The family applied through the affordable housing program.
Swanson said she’s proud to be part of a project that directly connects to her nursing legacy.
“It’s very special to have the unique opportunity to help the nurse who is working nights,” Swanson said.
Swanson said stable housing gives families the security to plan for the future.
“It means security for families. We talked briefly to the children and they said, ‘we’re gonna have our own bedroom,’” Swanson said.
Volunteers are set to begin work on the home in August. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
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