A week for weddings saw dueling candidates crashing ceremonies, emphasizing some of the contrasts of their campaigns.
Days out from the Iowa State Fair and less than three weeks from the first GOP presidential primary debate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continued to build his ground game in The Hawkeye State. On Saturday, that included what appeared to be taking a page from former President Donald Trump’s playbook as he and his wife Casey DeSantis made a surprise appearance at a wedding reception.
Video shared on Iowa state Rep. Taylor Collins’s social media showed as he and his bride Savannah entered a dining hall to their guests with the governor and his wife not far behind. The groom captioned the scene, “You never know who will crash your wedding reception during caucus season! An honor to be on #TeamDeSantis.”
You never know who will crash your wedding reception during caucus season! An honor to be on #TeamDeSantis. https://t.co/StNIkYK1a6
— Rep. Taylor Collins (@TaylorCollinsIA) August 6, 2023
The event took place in Des Moines, Iowa as the governor continued his stated goal of visiting each of the state’s 99 counties prior to the Jan. 15, 2024 caucus. According to The New York Times, while DeSantis was not on the original list of the 150 guests in attendance, the bride had actually invited him and his wife as a surprise for the groom, one of the dozens of Iowa legislators to have endorsed him for president.
Collins later said in an email to the Times “It was great for our family and friends from across the country to experience firsthand what it’s like to be in Iowa during caucus season. I can’t think of a better way to end the night than seeing everyone spend time with the governor.”
Days prior to the Iowa reception, Trump had just returned to his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club from his arraignment in Washington, D.C. when he made a splash of his own, crashing the wedding of two supporters to chants of “USA! USA!”
Happy, energized Trump crashes wedding HOURS after latest arrest, crowd erupts in cheers: ‘USA!’ https://t.co/0LVdXzM3md via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) August 4, 2023
While many reacted to DeSantis’ move Saturday as copying the primary frontrunner, each man still embodied their own unique style. The president could be seen holding a microphone to offer a brief remark, congratulating the happy couple whom he went on to take a photo with.
Meanwhile, the governor was said to mingle for an hour with the Iowa wedding guests, a number of them reportedly among his list of supporters, including the state’s Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg who joined in sharing pictures from the event.
Congratulations to @TaylorCollinsIA and @SavCollinsIA! So happy for you! Beautiful night…with a couple surprise special guests: @RonDeSantis and @CaseyDeSantis! Only in Iowa!@CariGregg pic.twitter.com/Xx7qyVs8Pn
— Adam Gregg (@AdamGreggIA) August 6, 2023
When @RonDeSantis crashes @SavCollinsIA wedding! Only in Iowa pic.twitter.com/8P9q96oNvC
— Lydia Hall (@lyd__hall) August 6, 2023
Just now — @RonDeSantis and @CaseyDeSantis visited Iowa Rep. Taylor Collins’ wedding in Des Moines tonight. Collins has endorsed the gov. for 2024.
Video from one attendee: pic.twitter.com/bkReMNPzcV
— aaron navarro (@aaronlarnavarro) August 6, 2023
The suggestion that DeSantis had been a last-minute guest for the newlyweds went overlooked by many of his detractors online who viewed their appearance as “upstaging the bride and groom.”
Upstaging the bride and groom on their wedding day is the most Desantis thing I’ve ever seen. https://t.co/1hyeFx4W9u
— Simpsonvillain (@Simpsonvillain) August 6, 2023
He needed a larger crowd than he can draw alone.
— C. Deanne Rowe Author ☮️ (@CDeanneRowe) August 6, 2023
Crashing weddings trump style
Does he do anything original
— ❌ marks the rot (@LetTheBirdDie) August 6, 2023
Of course, not all reactions were negative as many voiced their support for the candidate and others looked beyond the politics to comment on the moment itself.
Omg how adorable are they?!?!
And I love Casey’s a-line dress!!!!!
— Rís Rosario (@reeseonable) August 6, 2023
Congratulations on your wedding and thank you for your support of Gov DeSantis!
— David V (@DavidV384494184) August 6, 2023
That’s good stuff.
He seems to have found his mojo and things look far more cohesive and compelling
— Madseason1974 (@madseason1974) August 6, 2023
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