Trump flubs Iowa city for South Dakota city in campaign misstep

Former President Trump misidentified Sioux City, Iowa, for Sioux Falls, S.D., during an Iowa campaign speech Sunday, prompting a state senator to correct him in an audible whisper on stage.  

“Well, thank you very much,” Trump said as he greeted the audience in Sioux City ahead of his speech. “And a very big hello to a place where we’ve done very well, Sioux Falls. Thank you very much, Sioux Falls.”

Trump then invited to the stage Iowa state Sen. Brad Zaun, who said he was proud to be Trump’s first endorsement, to loud applause. As he left the podium, Zaun shook Trump’s hand and whispered the correction in his ear. 

“It’s Sioux City, not Sioux Falls,” Zaun said, in a barely audible whisper to Trump.

“Oh, it’s — oh, is that right?” Trump said, as Zaun walked off the stage. 

When Trump returned to the podium, he said, “So Sioux City, let me ask you: How many people come from Sioux City?”

At another point in the speech, Trump falsely suggested that Russia shared a border with Hungary. 

“We are very close to World War II, and we will prevent it. I know all the players. I know the players. I know the good ones, the bad ones, the weak ones,” Trump said in his speech. 

“You know there’s a very powerful player, Viktor Orban,” Trump continued. “Did anybody ever hear of Viktor Orban? He’s the head of Hungary, Hungary fronts on both Ukraine and Russia.”

Trump’s apparent missteps come as he focuses much of his presidential campaign on President Biden’s gaffes. Biden, 80, is more than three years older than Trump, 77.