Trump Campaign Rips Iowa Evangelical Leader Vander Plaats After DeSantis Endorsement: ‘History of Losing’

Former President Donald Trump's campaign on Tuesday criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Iowa Family Leader CEO Bob Vander Plaats after the evangelical leader endorsed the Florida governor's presidential bid.

The Trump campaign claimed Vander Plaats has a "history of losing" and slammed DeSantis after his campaign, a super PAC affiliated with him and a nonprofit group paid almost $100,000 to the evangelical leader's social conservative organization last summer.

"When you are actually the leader of a movement like President Trump is, people are willing to support you for free," the campaign said in a statement before taking a shot at Vander Plaats and Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

"Kim Reynolds’ endorsement won’t save Ron DeSanctus, and neither will Vander Plaat$’ endorsement."

Vander Plaats' backing of DeSantis is yet another big get for the Florida governor in Iowa after Reynolds endorsed him earlier this month. DeSantis has invested heavily in the first-caucus-in-the-nation state.

Still, the former president holds a large lead over his opponents in polling as the Republican primaries approach this January.