Trump attacks Nikki Haley on her home turf in South Carolina
Former president continues personal attacks on Haley
CONWAY, S.C. – With just two weeks remaining before the South Carolina Republican primary, Nikki Haley faces a challenging homecoming as she goes head-to-head with her political rival, Donald Trump. The former president, following an easy victory in Nevada, addressed a large crowd of supporters in Conway, where he deployed his familiar playbook of personal attacks.
Trump Doubles Down on Attacks
During his rally speech, Trump once again used derogatory language, referring to Haley as “Birdbrain”. He also lavished praise on South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, claiming that he had appointed Haley as the United States’ ambassador to the United Nations to promote a political agenda.
Trump, widely considered the frontrunner in the GOP presidential race, intends to secure victory in the South Carolina primary, extinguishing Haley’s chances and shifting his full focus towards an expected rematch with President Joe Biden in the general election.
Haley Counters with Policy Critiques
Whilst skipping the Nevada caucuses, Haley launched a two-week bus tour across South Carolina, emphasizing her role as governor of the state from 2011 to 2017 and criticizing Trump’s governing style. She accused Trump of being erratic, self-absorbed, and out of touch with the American people. Haley also questioned his age and mental fitness, further underlining her campaign’s focus on the need for political leaders to undergo mental competency tests.
Strong Responses from Haley Supporters
Notably, Trump attacked Haley’s husband, Michael Haley, for not campaigning on her behalf, despite him being deployed in Africa with the South Carolina Army National Guard. Haley swiftly responded, defending her husband’s service and implying that Trump’s divisive behavior disqualified him from being Commander in Chief.
Throughout the state, supporters echoed Haley’s calls for fresh blood in the GOP presidential race. Many expressed a desire for a younger nominee, with the belief that it was time for a new generation to lead the country.
Foreign Policy Differences
Foreign policy also emerged as a point of contention between the candidates, with Haley advocating for continued assistance to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Trump, on the other hand, voiced his opposition to foreign aid and criticized a plan in Congress to provide significant aid to Ukraine. He also expressed admiration for foreign leaders, including Russia’s President Putin and China’s President Xi Jinping.
Trump’s Rampant Media Attacks
In his rally speech, Trump ramped up his attacks on the media, accusing it of bias, manipulation, and dishonesty. He lamented the state of the country, warning of potential stock market crashes and nuclear war if he were to lose the election.
Trump’s Rally Draws Large Crowd
In Conway, thousands of attendees lined up for hours to catch a glimpse of the former president. Conway, part of South Carolina’s conservative stronghold, is a key area of Trump’s voter base.
Despite facing criticism from Trump and some supporters, Haley remains undeterred in spreading her message of a need for new leadership and a different approach to governance.
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