Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, two political juggernauts from separate sides of the aisle, previously stood together to present the Republican response to the 2020 election. The two rivals converged again in Iowa for a college football rivalry game, showing their two distinct leadership styles at the same time.
The matchup between Iowa and Iowa State took place at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, with President Trump in attendance as the honorary guest. He was accompanied by his close ally, Governor DeSantis of Florida. While Trump and DeSantis have largely been seen as allies in the political arena, they are of contrasting styles when in public and interacting with their constituents and the general population.
Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis were both well-received by the crowd, with fans of both parties taking to the stadium to cheer them on. The temperature likely felt a few degrees higher on Republican side when the former president entered the stands. During his time in the stadium, Trump was welcomed with cheers and chants of “USA! USA! USA!”
Conversely, Ron DeSantis was received with less enthusiasm. However, his presence was still respected by Iowa supporters, who offered their applause in his direction. Governor DeSantis attended the game to support Iowa State, of which he is a proud alumnus, and he was seen quietly shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with those around him. His leadership style was more understated than Trump’s, but nonetheless just as effective in showing his appreciation for the team and the people of Iowa.
At the end of the day, both Trump and DeSantis were largely respected and appreciated by both sides of the aisle. It just goes to show that different leadership styles can converge and work together in a respectful manner, if both parties remain open-minded. As such, this Iowa rivalry game is indicative of how bipartisanship can be achieved, as the two men had seemingly different approaches towards the same event. And while it’s unlikely that Trump and DeSantis will agree on every issue, this one event shows how two different leadership styles can coexist while still being respected by supporters from both sides of the political aisle.