WQAD will have expanded coverage, alongside our Des Moines sister station, of Trump’s visit on our WQAD 8+ app.
CLIVE, Iowa — Local 5 will have expanded coverage of Trump’s visit on WeAreIowa+. From Air Force One’s arrival to the president’s speech, tune in to get an all-access pass to the presidential visit.
President Donald Trump is visiting Iowa for the second time in less than a year.
The president is set to deliver a speech on energy and the economy at the Horizon Events Center in Clive on Tuesday. Doors open to the public at noon, but the sign-up for tickets appears to be closed as of Monday morning.
The visit is the first in what White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles says will be a string of trips across the country. Trump will travel to places across the United States at least once a week, with more visits as the midterm elections approach, Wiles said in Switzerland.
The Trump administration hopes to keep control of Congress heading into the second half of his second term. The Republicans currently maintain a narrow majority in the U.S. House, with 218 Republicans, 213 Democrats and four vacancies. There’s a similar divide in the Senate, with Republicans holding 53 seats, Democrats holding 45 seats and Independents holding two seats.
In the past two months, Trump has delivered speeches about the economy in Pennsylvania and Michigan, both of which are historically swing states.
Those speeches, which took place in December and January respectively, largely centered around themes such as affordability and the strength of the American economy.
Those subjects are expected to come up again in Iowa, as a recent CNN/SSRS poll shows that 64% of people surveyed believe Trump hasn’t gone far enough to reduce the price of everyday goods.
“It’s just like we’re seeing in other places across the country: The economy, issues of affordability, not just things like housing and groceries, but also the cost of healthcare is going to drive voters out to the polls,” said ABC Political Director Averi Harper.
Trump is also expected to address energy during his trip to Iowa. His speech in Clive comes just days after the House stripped a provision permitting year-round E15 sales from a federal funding bill.
Iowa Corn Growers’ Association President Mark Mueller told Local 5 the setback is concerning.
“I’m exasperated,” Mueller said. “I’ve got to tell you, I am nervous for the profitability of my farm. We made money last year barely, but we still made money. I can’t say if we’ll make money this year, but I sure as hell could use another market to sell my corn to.”
The Hawkeye State has heavily leaned red for the last decade, voting for Trump in the last three presidential elections. In 2024, Trump received 55.96% of the vote to earn Iowa’s six electoral votes.
Republicans have also maintained power in Iowa for the last several years, currently holding the governor’s seat, both chambers of the Iowa Legislature and all six of Iowa’s Congressional seats.
However, many believe Iowa’s 2026 midterm election may be more competitive with an outgoing Republican governor, an open U.S. Senate seat and a closely watched race in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
The incumbent in that district, Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, is expected to face Iowa State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott in November.
“Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District is one of the true swing districts that we are watching in places across the country, and when you think about the control of Congress, the razor thin majorities means that control really hinges on districts like Iowa’s 3rd,” Harper said.
Trump’s last visit to Iowa was in July 2025, when he spoke at the Iowa State Fairgrounds to kick off a year-long celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The event drew thousands of spectators as the president touted the success of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” while railing against his political opponents.
The president’s upcoming visit comes at a crucial time for the administration. In Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security is conducting a massive ICE operation. Just this month, federal agents have shot and killed two people: Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
In response to the situation in Minneapolis, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Senate Democrats will not vote for a spending package that includes money for DHS. If that’s the case, the government faces another partial shutdown Jan. 30 when funding runs out.