Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump unleashed a slew of Twitter attacks on Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats Sunday morning, the second time he has done so in less than a week.
Trump says that Vander Plaats, head of the Iowa-based Family Leader, asked him to stay in his hotels for free and also requested he speak at an event while seeking $100,000 for himself.
He made the s
ame statements on Tuesday in a similar Twitter storm. At that time, Vander Plaats said he and his family stayed for free in Trump's hotels because Trump insisted he do so in hopes of getting his endorsement. When Vander Plaats instead backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump attacked, Vander Plaats said.
As to Trump's claim that Vander Plaats sought $100,000 for himself, the Des Moines Register's chief political reporter Jennifer Jacobs contacted the group to whom Trump spoke.
The paper found that Trump was paid $100,000 to speak at Iowa's Land Investment Expo a year ago, directly contradicting Trump’s claim.
While the speech was Vander Plaats' idea, he was paid nothing, records showed.
There was no indication why Trump chose Sunday morning to reignite his Vander Plaats attacks, but caucusing is set for the Hawkeye State Monday night. Trump is in the lead in the latest polls, but Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is nipping at his heels.
Vander Plaats also replied to Trump on Sunday, saying his endorsement can't be bought.
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