Former President Donald Trump returned to Iowa Saturday for his first visit to the state after losing the presidential election in November, according to Des Moines Register.

The former president took the stage in front of thousands at the Iowa State Fairgrounds at 7:43 p.m.

Within minutes, Trump launched into an attack of President Joe Biden, who Trump said was taking the nation to the “brink of ruin.” 

“You can’t say I didn’t warn you,” Trump said. 

Trump’s visit comes as more Iowans feel more favorably toward him than they ever have, according to the latest Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. Overall, 53% hold favorable feelings toward Trump, and it’s even higher among his fellow Republicans, with 91% feeling favorable toward him.

Hours before the rally began, thousands of supporters and merchants selling Trump paraphernalia lined up at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Among the revelers was T. Trump, a Vietnamese immigrant who traveled with other Vietnamese immigrants from California. T. Trump and others said they legally changed their last name to Trump out of respect for the “king.” 

“When you have a king that really works hard … the people take over his name,” T. Trump, 55 and wearing an American-flag themed cowboy hat, said. “Wherever Trump goes. We came here for freedom. We don’t want to lose this country. You were born free, you want to live free, you want to die free.” 

Trump was last in Iowa in October 2020 for rallies in Dubuque and Des Moines before the election. He won Iowa’s electoral votes with 53% of the vote as Republicans statewide picked up seats in the state legislature, held onto a U.S. Senate seat and picked up two U.S. House seats previously held by Democrats.