Trump urges Iowa voters 'to vote even if they are seriously ill'

Mr. Trump called on his supporters in Iowa to vote for the Republican presidential candidate, joking that "even if you are very sick, you have to participate."

"If you want to save America from Crooked President Joe Biden, you have to participate in the primary election tomorrow," former President Donald Trump said at a January 14 rally in Indianola, Iowa.

Iowa is the first state in the US to hold an election to choose the party's presidential candidate for the White House race, with Republicans voting on January 15. The Democratic Party plans to hold a primary in the state on March 5.

From 7 p.m. (8 a.m. on January 16, Hanoi time), Iowans will gather at caucus venues to discuss the Republican presidential candidates, persuade those on the other side or those with no political views to support their candidate. They will then vote, and the results are usually announced within a few hours.

"You can't sit at home. If you get really sick, say, 'I have to do it.' Even if you vote and die, it was worth it, remember that," Trump joked, drawing laughter from the audience. He added that single voters might even meet their future spouses at the event.

Former President Donald Trump at a campaign event in Indianola, Iowa on January 14. Photo: AFP — Former President Donald Trump at a campaign event in Indianola, Iowa on January 14. Photo: *AFP*

Iowa's Republican primary election comes as the midwestern state faces icy conditions, with temperatures dropping to -35 degrees Celsius in some areas. Iowa highways are littered with abandoned cars and snow-covered signs. Meteorologists warn that the weather in Iowa could be "life-threatening."

The remaining Republican candidates also urged their supporters in Iowa to participate in the election. Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley posted a video of herself speaking outside, next to a pile of snow. "I know it's cold, but we need you," Ms. Haley said. "Let's get this done strong."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged supporters to brave the cold, adding that their votes "will carry more weight if the weather causes turnout to drop."

Mr. Trump is the leading Republican candidate in surveys across the United States. In Iowa, Mr. Trump leads with 48% support. Ms. Haley and Mr. DeSantis receive 20% and 16% support, respectively.

The poll results released by the Des Moines Register/NBC News late on January 13 also showed that Mr. Trump had the most "enthusiastically supportive" respondents, meaning they probably wouldn't let the weather stop them from voting.

Nhu Tam (According to The Hill, Reuters )

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