For a person in Trump makes a rare appearance alongside other Republican candidates.

He couldn't pass up the Iowa GOP's annual fundraiser less than six months before the

state party's caucus.

I'm Scott Simon.

I'm Aisha Roscoe and this is at first from NPR News.

Many of the crowd took Trump's side as he faces multiple indictments.

There is absolutely nobody, nobody that could go through with what he's gone through

and his family.

Russian President Vladimir Putin turns to Africa to gain allies.

But the continent's leaders worry about what the war against Ukraine is doing to the

world's food supply.

And some car companies pull ahead as electric vehicles catch on.

So please stay with us, we've got the news you need to start your weekend.

The annual Lincoln dinner in Iowa is not an event any Republican presidential candidate

wants to miss.

Even a front runner like Trump, he was joined by 12 of the candidates Friday night.

Iowa Public Radio's Clay Masters was there and he joins us now.

Clay, thanks for being with us.

Yeah, good morning.

Mr. Trump hasn't spent nearly as much time in Iowa as some other candidates.

Noteworthy that he was even there?

Yeah, it was.

...