Donald Trump spent most of the week leading to the Iowa caucuses out of the snow-ravaged state and in court, dealing with the cases sucking up his time.
His lawyers argued in Washington D.C. that presidents could be immune from prosecution if they assassinated their rivals and he made an outburst in the New York fraud trial over his ‘political persecution’.
But the 77-year-old former president may have planned to spend the run-up to the crucial first vote of the 2024 Republican primaries facing judges.
His campaign has embraced the courtroom drama because it often leads to a spike in the polls.
The passion of his supporters shows that indictments and never-ending legal battles have had, if anything, a positive impact. A DailyMail.com poll in August showed half of Iowa Republicans still think he should run for president if he is in prison.
Trump is trying to toss his criminal indictment over January 6 in Washington, D.C. in part on claims of presidential immunity
And Trump is still polling well above his closest opponents Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley – in some surveys by well over 30 points.
Trump’s 25 public appearances in Iowa pales in comparison to Ron DeSantis’ 125, Nikki Haley’s 79 and Vivek Ramaswamy’s 300, according to the Des Moines Register.
But the outcome on Monday will reveal whether or not Trump’s large absence from the state will make a dent in his massive lead and expected victory.
Tuesday: Washington, D.C. immunity case
Trump arrived in Washington, D.C., Tuesday for the first time since he was indicted for alleged crimes connected to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
He is trying to toss his criminal indictment over January 6 in Washington, D.C., in part on claims of presidential immunity
Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs the Waldorf Astoria where he held a press conference following his appearance in court on January, 9
The former president’s attorneys made the stunning claim in a Washington D.C. Appeals Court while insisting he should be immune from prosecution in election fraud cases.
Trump’s legal team argued that he was acting officially as president when he challenged the 2020 results and Special Counsel Jack Smith’s federal charges should be dropped.
In a dramatic exchange during the 90-minute hearing, Judge Florence Pan asked his lawyer: ‘A yes or no question. Could a president who ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival, who was not impeached, be subject to a criminal prosecution?’
Trump lawyer John Sauer responded: ‘If he were impeached and convicted first.’
‘So your answer is no,’ shot back Pan.
‘My answer is qualified yes…you’d expect a speedy impeachment and conviction,’ Sauer said.
The judge also put Trump’s claim to immunity to the test by asking if a president could sell U.S. military secrets, or sell pardons, without then being criminally prosecuted.
On Tuesday evening, the former president announced that his mother-in-law Amalija Knavs died at the age of 78, calling her ‘an incredible woman.’
Former First Lady Melania Trump ‘s mother Amalija Knavs, 78, has died after being hospitalized in Miami, Florida, over the holidays. She is pictured center with her daughter and Donald Trump in 2018
‘This is a very sad night for the entire Trump family!!! Melania’s great and beautiful mother, Amalija, has just gone to a beautiful place in the sky. She was an incredible woman, and will be missed far beyond words!’
He then shared a photo of himself standing with Amalija.
Wednesday: Iowa town hall
Following his legal hearing, Trump headed to Iowa to participate in a town hall hosted by Fox News.
The town hall took place at the same time DeSantis and Haley came out swinging during a head-to-head debate – which he skipped.
Trump was named the ‘real winner’ of the Iowa Republican debate even though he didn’t show up, according to an exclusive Daily Mail poll.
Daily Mail polling showed that DeSantis beat Haley, with 55 percent saying the Florida governor won, and 31 percent picking the former South Carolina governor.
But when asked who the ‘real winner’ of the night was 47 percent said Trump.
Of the remainder 28 percent said DeSantis, and 19 percent Haley.
During the town hall, Trump dramatically revealed he already knows who he will choose as his running mate if he is the Republican 2024 presidential nominee.
But the GOP frontrunner isn’t telling anyone else about his thinking yet, and it wasn’t clear if he has informed the person he wants to be his future vice president.
During the town hall, Trump dramatically revealed he already knows who he will choose as his running mate if he is the Republican 2024 presidential nominee
The town hall took place at the same time DeSantis and Haley came out swinging during a head-to-head debate
Thursday: New York City civil fraud trial
Trump found himself back in court on Thursday, this time in New York City for closing arguments in the civil fraud trial into his family businesses.
He caused a stir in the courtroom after he decided to speak in his own defense at the conclusion of proceedings.
The judge in his trial was forced to ask the former president’s lawyers to ‘control their client’ after Trump launched into a tirade about the case.
Judge Arthur Engoron had previously barred Trump from speaking because he wanted him to stay on topic.
But on Thursday, the judge said he wanted to address Trump ‘directly’ and asked: ‘If I let you speak for five minutes you promise to comment on the law, the facts, not go outside of it?’
Trump did not say he would, and instead launched into a five minute diatribe from his seat.
Speaking at a rapid pace, he said that his financial statements were ‘perfect’ and that the banks were ‘as happy as they can be.’
Donald Trump launched into a five minute diatribe from his seat in court on Thursday
Judge Arthur Engoron had previously barred Trump from speaking because he wanted him to stay on topic. But on Thursday, the judge said he wanted to address Trump ‘directly’ and asked: ‘If I let you speak for five minutes you promise to comment on the law, the facts, not go outside of it?’
Trump said the case was a ‘political witch hunt’ and there was ‘not one witness against us.’
He said: ‘We should have received damages for what we’ve gone through.’
Trump scoffed at the idea he had to stick to the facts of the case and said: ‘When you say don’t go outside of these things – we have a situation where I’m an innocent man.
‘I’ve been persecuted by someone running for office’, referring to AG Letitia James. ‘I have to go outside the bounds (of the case).’
Saturday: Cancelled return to Iowa
Trump was expected to return to the midwest on Saturday for a final push ahead of Monday.
But his campaign put out guidance that due to extreme weather, he would not be returning in-person but rather conduct a series of online events.
Trump is still expected to be in Iowa on caucus night for an event leading up to the results.
Iowa is facing extreme cold temperatures in the lead up to Monday’s caucuses.
Campaigns were already scrubbing events amid cancelled school classes, nixed commercial flights, temperatures in the low single digits and predicted weekend wind gusts of 30-40 miles per hour.
A Wind Chill Watch is in effect for the state from Saturday night through Tuesday afternoon, with predicted wind chills of 30 to 45 degrees below zero.
The dangerous conditions could bring frostbite to exposed skin in just 10 minutes, KCCI reported.
A political yard sign for former President and current Republican candidate hopeful Donald Trump sits in the snowy shoulder along a road near Reasnor, Iowa
A political flag showing support for former President and current Republican candidate hopeful Donald Trump flaps in front of a home in Des Moines, Iowa