President Trump went to Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday and made a direct appeal to farmers. "I know you're not all farmers, but I love farmers," he told the crowd in an airplane hangar 1. He was there because races across Iowa that Republicans once counted on have become surprisingly close 1.
The rally was held in Iowa's 4th Congressional District. Mr. Trump won it by more than 30 points in 2024, far above his 13-point win statewide 1. Radio Iowa put the crowd at more than 1,000 people 2.
What Trump promised
Mr. Trump highlighted a harvest fuel relief program, announced earlier this week, that will offer $8 billion to offset high diesel prices 1. He said about $400 million of it would go to Iowa 2.
He also said the administration will use the Defense Production Act, a federal law that lets the president steer industry, to release $150 million for more refining capacity 1. And he pointed to a waiver that lets drivers buy untaxed "red-dyed" diesel, normally allowed only for off-road vehicles 1.
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Diesel and fertilizer prices have surged since the Iran war began. That hit farmers who were already struggling to export crops because of last year's trade wars 1. Nationwide, diesel has eased slightly from last month's record but remains above $6 per gallon 1.
A close race
Polls show a neck-and-neck Senate race between Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek. They show a slight Democratic edge for governor, and three of Iowa's four House contests have also become competitive 1.
CBS News reports that polls show most voters blame the Iran war for rising energy prices and are unhappy with how the administration has handled the conflict 1. Mr. Turek blamed "the unnecessary war in Iran" for those prices in a debate earlier this month 1.
Mr. Trump said that "When the war in Iran ends, oil is going to be even less." He defended his strategy, saying that "if they had a nuclear weapon, you wouldn't be very comfortable" 1.
Ms. Hinson once vowed to be Mr. Trump's strongest ally in the Senate. In a debate she said she could push back on him when necessary, and last month she said the war needs to end immediately 1. CBS News saw no visible rift on stage Thursday. Mr. Trump cast her as the only barrier between Iowans and Democratic control of the U.S. Senate 1.
What happens next
Mr. Trump is scheduled to hold another rally in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, Nov. 1, two days before Election Day on Nov. 3 2. CBS News said it is unclear what effect the relief programs will have on the election 1.
That matters because the pressure on Republicans is showing up in places they rarely worry about. Even one supporter at the rally, Curt Strathman, said he is "kind of worried" about the war's political impact 1.
The Record
Sources
- CBS News, “Trump focuses on farmers in Iowa visit, as GOP struggles on fertile ground” (2026-10-23). cbsnews.com/news/trump-iowa-farmers-rally-senate-hinson-ture
- Radio Iowa, “Trump headlines Sioux City rally, touts $150 million to boost fuel production” (2026-10-22). radioiowa.com/2026/10/22/trump-headlines-sioux-city-rally-to
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