Trump Met by Taunts and Jeers on Final Campaign Stretch
The people of Iowa took to the streets to give Trump their feedback.
Evan Vucci/REUTERS
President Donald Trump has been met by a public display of taunts, jeers and NSFW protest signs on his final campaign stretch.
Trump, 80, visited Dubuque, Iowa on Sunday, ahead of Tuesday’s midterm election. The appearance came as the senior president reversed his initial decision to cancel the trip on Thursday, stating he would appear via telerally.
The about-face gave anti-Trump demonstrators the chance to share their thoughts with the president in person.
President Donald Trump changed his mind and decided to visit Iowa on Sunday.
Evan Vucci/REUTERS
As the presidential motorcade passed through the streets on the way to the rally venue at the Five Flags Civic Center, a string of protesters held up signs and made obscene gestures at Trump, according to pictures captured by Reuters and Getty photographers.
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One NSFW sign read, “2 Days A-----e,” referring to the date of the midterm election, while multiple people were photographed flipping Trump the bird.

Protestors lining the streets are seen from U.S. President Donald Trump's motorcade as he heads to Five Flags Center on November 1, 2026 in Dubuque, Iowa.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Signs waved at the president included, “Trump Do Better,” “Jail The Pedos,” and “The Only Orange Monarch I Want is a Butterfly.”
Demonstrators in Iowa give Trump a message.
Evan Vucci/REUTERS
Others included “The World’s a Trumpster Fire,” “Trump Epstein Files Coming Soon!,” and “Guardian of the Pedophiles.”
Demonstrators give Donald Trump the thumbs down in Iowa.
Evan Vucci/REUTERS
Some protesters shouted at people attending the rally as they entered the venues, the Des Moines Register reported, and noted signs that read “This Regime Doesn’t Care About You,” and “Elect a Clown, Expect a Circus.”
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Other signs called for Trump’s impeachment and an end to his war with Iran, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, noting that Republican candidate Ashley Hinson asked the crowd at the rally to stand and chant “U.S.A” so the protesters outside could hear.
The protests followed a report that the Trump administration had attempted to make Dubuque more welcoming to the president.
Trump’s team wanted to shield a racial solidarity mural on the city-owned Five Flags Civic Center, according to the Des Moines Register.
A “Solidarity” mural at the Five Flags Center is uncovered after it was covered the day prior at the request of President Donald Trump’s campaign team.
Vincent Alban/REUTERS
On Saturday, social media users highlighted a tarp being placed over Dubuque artist Shelby Fry’s “Solidarity” mural. Late on Saturday, the city released a statement saying that it was not asked if the exterior of the Five Flags Civic Center “could be modified and did not authorize the tarp.”
The mural, which is 105 feet long and 28 feet wide, depicts 10 raised Black, brown and White fists, with a letter on each to spell out the word “SOLIDARITY.” It has been in place on the side of the building since 2020.
The letters also include a Pride rainbow and emblems for disability rights, mental health and gender diversity, all triggers for the Trump administration.
The White House had wanted to erect a U.S. flag on the building instead, according to KCRG-TV.
The anti-Trump sentiment also continued inside the venue, during his near-two-hour speech. The Des Moines Register said protesters inside were chanted down and escorted out of the venue three times.

A protester is escorted away as President Donald Trump speaks at a midterm campaign rally at Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
The interruptions have become a fixture at Trump’s rallies this month, and he repeated his usual disclaimer in Dubuque, claiming, “They’re paid protesters, they go away quickly. They’re like a gnat, they’re like a little fly.”
He continued, “There’s usually two or three of them per rally,” claiming they get paid $250.
Trump seemed to lose his temper after being shouted for a third time during his Iowa rally, barking “You’re a stupid person!”
Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek is beating Trump-endorsed Ashley Hinson for the seat of outgoing GOP Sen. Joni Ernst in Iowa in a close Senate race, with a MS NOW poll stating Turek is on 47.1 percent to Hinson on 46.5 percent.
Trump’s second rally for Sunday is due to happen in Salina, Kansas. The White House has announced Trump will make his closing pitch at the midterms at his problematic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday afternoon.
The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.
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