Trump urges Iowa voters to 'vote even if they are seriously ill'

Mr. Trump called on his supporters in Iowa to vote for the Republican presidential candidate, joking that "even if you are very sick, you have to participate."

"If you want to save America from Crooked President Joe Biden, you have to vote in the primary tomorrow," former President Donald Trump said at a January 14 rally in Indianola, Iowa.

Iowa is the first state in the US to hold a presidential election to choose the party's nominee for the White House, with Republicans voting on January 15. The Democratic Party is scheduled to hold a primary in the state on March 5.

From 7pm (8am on January 16, Hanoi time), Iowans will gather at caucus locations to discuss the Republican presidential candidates, persuade those on the other side or those with no political views to support their candidate. They will then vote and the results are usually announced within a few hours.

"You can't sit at home. If you're really sick, say, 'I have to do it.' Even if you vote and die, it was worth it, remember that," Trump joked, drawing laughter from the audience. He added that single voters could even meet their future spouses at the event.

Former President Donald Trump at a campaign event in Indianola, Iowa on January 14. Photo: AFP — Former President Donald Trump at a campaign event in Indianola, Iowa on January 14. Photo: *AFP*

Iowa's Republican primary election comes as the midwestern state braces for icy conditions, with temperatures in some areas dropping to -35 degrees Celsius. Iowa's highways are littered with abandoned cars and snow-covered signs. Meteorologists have warned that the weather in Iowa could be "life-threatening."

The remaining Republican candidates also urged their Iowa supporters to turn out. Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley posted a video of herself speaking outside, next to a pile of snow. "I know it's cold, but we need you," Haley said. "Let's get this done strong."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged supporters to brave the cold, adding that their votes "will carry more weight if the weather causes turnout to drop."

Mr. Trump is the leading Republican candidate in national polls. In Iowa, Mr. Trump leads with 48% support. Ms. Haley and Mr. DeSantis receive 20% and 16% support, respectively.

The poll results released by the Des Moines Register/NBC News late on January 13 also showed that Mr. Trump had the most "enthusiastic support" respondents, meaning they probably wouldn't let the weather stop them from voting.

Nhu Tam (According to The Hill, Reuters )

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