Trump promises mass deportations and peace in Iowa rally despite frosty protests

In a small university town on the outskirts of Iowa's capital, Des Moines, Trump delivered a speech over two hours. He boasted about his ability to command so-called "two-hour beauties", unlike President Joe Biden, who he said cannot construct meaningful sentences.

Trump claimed that Biden is "the most corrupt president in the history of our country", arguing that Biden's perceived weakness is causing tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East. "

"Only I can prevent World War III," he avered.

Apart from the incumbent president, who defeated him in the 2020 elections, he also lashed out at his opponents vying for the party's nomination in the November presidential race.

He labeled Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. who served under his administration, as a "globalist" backed by shadowy interests and globalist billionaires. He accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of disloyalty and of having a "lenient" policy towards migrants.

Immigration emerged as one of the main topics of the former president's speech. He claimed he would implement mass deportations of illegal immigrants and tighten America's borders from day one of his presidency.

According to Trump, America has become a "dumping ground for the whole world" under Biden's leadership. He recited a poem comparing immigrants to a viper who bit a woman who was trying to save it.

The rally in Indianola marked Trump's final scheduled live appearance before Monday's primaries in Iowa, initiating the process of selecting the party's presidential candidate.

Despite temperatures dropping to -25 degrees (-13 degrees Fahrenheit) with the wind chill taking it 10 degrees lower (crowds of residents turned out to greet the former president, arriving at least two hours early. Some had to settle for watching him on a large screen as the venue filled.

Among those present was Justin, a Des Moines student who stated that he "had to be here" because it was his "best chance to see him live". Amanda, a retiree from Indianola, affirmed her support for Trump, having voted for him twice before and promising to do it a third time.

However, Trump also drew criticism at the rally. His speech was twice interrupted by young activists from the environmental group Sunrise. One of them claimed that Trump was receiving millions of dollars from the oil industry and was forcefully removed from the venue.

"We are here in Iowa to expose that candidates are taking huge sums of money from the fossil fuel industry, and therefore, they are ignoring the climate crisis that threatens our generation," stated Sunrise movement activist Emma Webber. Another student, Hannah, criticized Trump and referred to the rally as a "circus", calling Trump an "orange clown".

Jennifer, an IT specialist from Des Moines, was unconvinced by Trump's speech, finding it tedious and incomprehensible. Having attended the persuasion of her parents, she expressed uncertain political leanings but appreciated Trump's economic policies and criminal justice proposals.

The primaries kick off on Monday evening in over 1,600 locations throughout Iowa. Supporters and activists of the Republican Party will vote for one of the four candidates: Trump, Haley, DeSantis, or the far-right businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Trump is touted as the distinct favorite. According to the latest poll before the primaries, he is predicted to secure 48% of the votes, while Haley may get 20%, DeSantis 16%, and Ramaswamy 8%.