Trump builds national lead over DeSantis but early-voting states closer, polls show

While the ex-president has increased his national lead, the Florida governor is putting up a closer fight in Iowa and New Hampshire

Donald Trump has increased his national lead in the Republican presidential primary but seems set to face a closer tussle with his chief rival, Ron DeSantis, in the crucial first two states to vote, new polls show.

On Monday, a new survey from the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard and the Harris Poll gave Trump a 26-point national lead over DeSantis, by 50% to 24%, a four-point gain since February.