Smaller Turnout of Media at Iowa Caucuses Amid Snowstorms and Trump's Lead The media presence at the Iowa caucuses has noticeably dwindled due to snowstorms, fewer candidates, and Donald Trump's strong polling. With only 1,200 credentialed journalists, down from 2,600 in 2016, prominent TV personalities stayed home, and the usual buzz of the press in Des Moines has waned. This lackluster atmosphere is reflected in the reduced debate ratings and a general feeling of malaise among reporters covering the event. As a result of these circumstances, some journalists have left Iowa early, and major TV networks have scaled back their coverage. Despite this, dedicated journalists continue to cover the caucuses, but the overall enthusiasm and impact of the event seem diminished compared to previous years.