Donald Trump Wins Iowa; Networks Project Victor Just 30 Minutes After Caucuses Start

Former President Donald Trump was the projected winner of Iowa’s Republican caucus, with networks calling the race well before voting had even concluded. The race was called just over 30 minutes after the caucuses started. CNN called the caucus for Trump at around 7:32 p.m. ET, followed by Fox News and MSNBC.

The Associated Press also called the race. “This is the earliest I can ever remember calling such a thing,” CNN anchor Jake Tapper said. Shortly before its projection, CNN actually had been at a caucus site in Clive, IA, where Trump was speaking to voters. Dana Bash was joined by Kasie Hunt and Chris Wallace at the site to offer analysis.

Trump’s victory so early in the night signals a potential blowout victory, albeit the projections are based in part on entrance polling. As actual results rolled in, pundits quickly turned to Trump’s margin of victory and on who finishes second, as former UN ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis battle over the leftovers.

More to come..