Nikki Haley, the former U.N. Ambassador, is gearing up for a major test as she takes on Donald Trump in the New Hampshire primary this week. In a recent interview on “Face the Nation,” Haley criticized the former president for his relationship with dictators who pose a threat to the United States. She stated, “You can’t have someone who’s trying to buddy up with dictators that want to kill us. Instead, you have to let them know what we expect of them.” This criticism highlights the difference in foreign policy approaches between Haley and Trump.
Throughout her campaign, Haley has been emphasizing her foreign policy experience and attempting to draw a contrast between herself and the former president. She recently released a new advertisement featuring American college student Otto Warmbier, who was taken hostage by North Korea in 2016 and died shortly after his release. Haley believes that this ad showcases the contrast between her approach and Trump’s approach to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Haley further expressed concern about Trump’s engagement with other world leaders, specifically referencing his positive statements about Chinese President Xi Jinping and his “bromance” with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She argued that trying to befriend these dictators is not an effective strategy for preventing wars and maintaining global stability.
These criticisms come at a crucial time as Haley prepares for the New Hampshire primary. With hopes of making inroads with independents and moderates, she is relying on a strong showing in this state to boost her White House ambitions. Polls indicate that New Hampshire could be more favorable to Haley, and she has already received an important endorsement from the Manchester Union-Leader, the state’s largest newspaper.
Meanwhile, Trump has been ramping up his opposition to Haley, claiming that she is busing in Democrats for the primary. However, Haley quickly refuted this claim, stating that Democrats cannot vote in the New Hampshire primary and have not been able to change their registration for months. She took to social media to address the issue, adding, “Another reason we need to move on from Trump: too many lies.”
Haley has also been emphasizing that Americans do not want a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024. She believes that a Trump presidency would result in chaos, stating, “No matter what it is, chaos follows him, rightly or wrongly, chaos follows him. And so what happens is that puts the rest of America in chaos.”
As the New Hampshire primary approaches, all eyes are on Nikki Haley as she continues to position herself as a viable alternative to Donald Trump. Her criticisms of Trump’s relationship with dictators and her focus on preventing wars and maintaining stability have resonated with many voters. A strong showing in New Hampshire could provide the momentum she needs heading into other early states, including her home state of South Carolina. Only time will tell if Haley’s message will resonate with voters and propel her closer to the White House.