Carlson used the event to blast transgender athletes, high energy prices (and wind turbines), make a glancing mention to Jan. 6 (an issue which hasn’t engaged voters on the right), before ultimately pivoting to an attack on corporate America. The speech ultimately focused on the kind of pocketbook issues that have been engaging many voters this year, themes very familiar to his large cable audience.

Carlson began with a classic tell used by many politician seeking Iowa votes, touting his many trips to the state over the years.

“I think I’ve done the full Grassley,” Carlson said, referring to long-serving Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who’s famous for visiting all the state’s 99 counties during his campaigns — an informal check of a candidate’s seriousness in running for president…

Carlson also delved into one foreign policy subject for which he has been heavily criticized: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “I’m not a Putin defender, despite what you may have heard, because he’s not the president of my country. And what he does in Ukraine, while I think is historically significant — certainly significant to Ukrainians — is not more significant to me than the cost of gas,” he said to the many gathered for the Family Leader Summit in Des Moines.