Trump focuses on farmers in Iowa visit, as GOP struggles on fertile ground

President Trump traveled to Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday to court farmers, even in a congressional district he carried by more than 30 points in 2024, as Republicans face unexpectedly close Senate, House and governor's contests in the state ahead of next month's elections, according to CBS News.

Farmers there are coping with a delayed harvest after unusually heavy September rain, plus higher diesel and fertilizer costs since the war with Iran began, on top of export troubles from last year's trade disputes. Trump described an $8 billion fuel relief program announced this week, $150 million in Defense Production Act money for refining capacity, and a waiver allowing tax-free red-dyed diesel purchases for farmers and truckers.

Diesel nationally still tops $6 per gallon, and polls indicate most voters fault the war for energy costs. Trump defended his Iran policy and said oil would fall once it ends. Polls show Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek neck-and-neck in the Senate race. Hinson has recently signaled some independence, yet Trump praised her warmly. Supporter Curt Strathman said he is "kind of worried" about the war's political fallout.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CBS News’s reporting. Read the full story at CBS News →