In the eleventh hour before New Hampshire’s GOP presidential primary, a bitter feud between former President Donald Trump and Nikki Haley has erupted, adding an intense layer to the already high-stakes political landscape.
Former President Trump, aiming to secure the Republican nomination, has launched personal attacks against Nikki Haley, questioning her intelligence and reigniting race-based criticisms. In response, Haley, 52, has fired back, alleging that Trump, 77, may be experiencing mental decline, rendering him unfit for the presidency beyond his 80s.
The stakes are monumental as the tension in New Hampshire reflects the crucial nature of Tuesday’s primary. Trump seeks to consolidate his position as the frontrunner, while Haley aims to use the primary as a stepping stone to challenge Trump in her home state of South Carolina next month.
The dispute reached new heights after Trump’s rally late Friday, where he repeatedly confused Haley with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while defending his actions on Jan. 6. In retaliation, Haley and her team spent much of Saturday suggesting that Trump may lack the mental acuity to serve another term as president.
Haley emphasized the importance of mental fitness for the presidency, stating, “When you’re dealing with the pressures of a presidency, we can’t have someone else that we question whether they’re mentally fit to do this.” She pointed to a past remark of Trump’s, where he claimed to be running against Obama despite not facing him in an election.
In response, Trump characterized Haley, his former UN ambassador, as “not tough enough, not smart enough, or capable enough” to be president. He also hinted that he would “probably” not choose her as a vice-presidential candidate. Trump has further delved into race-based attacks, falsely suggesting that Haley is ineligible for the presidency due to her Indian immigrant parents.
Also Read: Trump Continues Legacy of Racist Attacks, Targets Nikki Haley in New Hampshire Campaign
Despite Trump’s attempts to dominate the GOP primary in New Hampshire after a resounding victory in the Iowa caucuses, Haley, initially shaken by a third-place finish in Iowa, has rebounded with a vigorous campaign schedule and more pointed attacks on Trump. Notably, she has chosen not to engage in discussions about race-baiting, focusing instead on Trump’s age and dramatic behavior.
Trump’s efforts to showcase his popularity in Haley’s home state brought several South Carolina lawmakers, including Sen. Tim Scott, to New Hampshire over the weekend. Haley, however, dismissed Scott’s lack of endorsement, stating, “He made this decision, that’s his to live with…I was never anything but good to him.”
Looking ahead, Haley’s campaign has indicated a commitment to participate in the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24, irrespective of the outcome in New Hampshire. The campaign plans a substantial $4 million digital, radio, and TV ad buy in South Carolina, with Haley scheduled to campaign in the state on Wednesday. Despite uncertainties about Haley’s continued presence in the race, campaign manager Betsy Ankney asserted, “We’ll see you in South Carolina on Wednesday. We need a warm weather primary.” The battle between Trump and Haley continues to intensify as the political landscape heats up in the crucial weeks ahead.