In a bizarre turn of events, the victor of Thursday night’s GOP debate was not even on the stage.
In fact, he wasn’t even in the building.
Instead, Republican national frontrunner Donald Trump hosted a veterans’ benefit rally at Sheslow Auditorium on Drake University’s campus in Des Moines.
The event, by no coincidence, was at the same time as the debate, which was held in the Iowa Events Center and hosted by Fox News and Google. The move was seen by many as Trump’s attempt to steal attention from rival Sen.Ted Cruz and the other GOP candidates sparring on the debate.
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“Trump’s pulled off another coup, as far as media attention goes,” said Warren County Republicans chair Rick Halverson.
If attention was truly Trump’s goal, then his rally was smashing success. Sheslow Auditorium filled up quickly, eventually reaching its capacity of 760 people, according to the event’s security detail. Hundreds more were turned away.
"Close to six million" raised for veterans, according to Trump #iacaucus @DIpolitics
— Mitch McAndrew (@MitchieMac) January 29, 2016
Trump was quick to point this out in his speech: “We have way more cameras here than they do,” he said, taking a jab at Fox News.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum also stopped by after their undercard debate, which only added to the frenzy.
“We may be competitors in the race, but here, we’re colleagues,” Huckabee said, during a passionate speech about veteran support.
Both he and Santorum were adamant that they were not there for political shoulder rubbing but to show support for veterans.
“I’ll go ahead and stand over here so you can’t take my picture with this Trump sign,” Santorum joked.
Right out of the chute- Trump on Fox debate spat: "When you're treated badly, you have to stick up for your rights." #iacaucus @DIpolitics
— Mitch McAndrew (@MitchieMac) January 29, 2016
Trump’s plug for veterans resonated strongly with voters not just in Iowa but across the Midwest.
David Ackerman drove two and a half hours from Maryville, Missouri, with his wife and kids to show their support from Trump and military veterans.
“Trump said last night on Bill O’Reilly, ‘It’s time for doers, not talkers,’ and that’s exactly what he’s doing here tonight,” Ackerman said. “While all the other candidates are over saying things that have already been said, Trump is over here doing.”
Trump’s decision to bow out of the GOP debate began with Fox News anchor and Trump enemy Megyn Kelly’s selection as a moderator for the debate. After numerous denouncements of the selection from Trump, Fox News released a statement questioning Trump’s ability to handle world leaders.
Trump cited Fox’s statement as his reason for skipping the debate, and many of his supporters consider it an act of marketing genius.
“He doesn’t let the media define him,” Neil Wecker said, a Johnston resident who is planning on caucusing for Trump on Feb. 1.
Overall, operatives think Trump scored big Thursday night.
