Trump Says Lahn Is ‘Much More Trump’ than Feenstra Following GOP Gubernatorial Primary
Trump said he would have backed Lahn after Feenstra lost the GOP primary, blaming staff for giving him bad information.
- On Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters he wasn't "given the proper information" before endorsing Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa's Republican governor's race, claiming he would have backed Zach Lahn instead.
- Republican Zach Lahn won the June 2 primary with 38% to Feenstra's 37.2%, despite Feenstra receiving Trump's "Complete and Total Endorsement" just days before the vote.
- Trump blamed his staff and consultants for pressuring him to back the "less Trump" candidate, with an unnamed White House ally telling Politico the president is "really, really angry" about the situation.
- Lahn, affiliated with the "Make America Health Again" movement and endorsed by Turning Point Action, secured the nomination in a significant primary upset challenging Trump's influence in 2026.
- Trump dismissed the loss as "only one out of hundreds of races," touting his 18-0 record this past week to minimize the defeat's significance within Republican circles.
18 Articles
18 Articles
President Trump comments on failed endorsement of Feenstra for Iowa governor
DES MOINES, Iowa -- President Donald Trump's string of endorsement wins ended last week. Congressman Randy Feenstra lost his primary race for the republican nomination for governor. Feenstra declined to participate in debates in the lead-up to the election. President Trump endorsed him four days before the election, despite a poll showing him trailing eventual [...]
Trump says he didn’t get proper info before Feenstra endorsement
President Trump is expressing regrets about endorsing Congressman Randy Feenstra in the Republican governor’s race. “The man running against him was all Trump,” the president said. Zach Lahn finished just 1625 votes ahead of Feenstra to win the Republican Primary for governor this month. A reporter asked Trump if he regrets endorsing Feenstra. “The only […]
The Daily Nonpareil - Council Bluffs, Iowa…
Trump says Lahn is ‘much more Trump’ than Feenstra following GOP gubernatorial primary
President Donald Trump pointed to a supporter as he went to begin his speech on affordability at the Horizon Events Center in Clive Jan. 27, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Des Moines Register
Trump says Lahn was 'more Trump' than Feenstra in Iowa governor's race
At a news conference, President Donald Trump was asked whether he regretted endorsing Randy Feenstra in Iowa's Republican governor primary.
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