Trump says Haley’s ‘getting clobbered’ in South Carolina. ‘She’s finished.’ But his GOP presidential primary rival remains defiant, vowing ‘I refuse to quit’
Former President Donald Trump has expressed his belief that the end is imminent for his rival Nikki Haley.
“She’s facing a tough situation,” Trump emphasized during a recent rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, highlighting his substantial lead over Haley in the upcoming Republican presidential primary in the state. “Her political career is on the decline.”
“You’re not expected to lose in your state. It’s not supposed to happen,” Trump reiterated during a US Newzs town hall in Greenville on Tuesday. “She’s experiencing a significant loss.”
Winning in South Carolina would bring Trump closer to securing the Republican nomination. His campaign asserted in a memo earlier this week that Haley’s presidential aspirations will likely conclude “appropriately, in her home state.”
The Trump campaign foresees a significant victory for Trump in South Carolina, suggesting that Haley’s presidential bid is nearing its end due to a “serious mathematical challenge” she faces in accumulating enough delegates to secure the 2024 GOP nomination.
Despite the predictions and pressure from the Trump campaign, Nikki Haley, the last significant contender challenging Trump for the nomination, remains resolute.
Addressing speculation about her candidacy, the former two-term South Carolina governor and former U.N. ambassador in the Trump administration asserted in a significant speech shortly after the release of the Trump campaign memo:
“Some of you—maybe a few in the media—came here today to see if I’m dropping out of the race. Well, I’m not. Far from it,” Haley declared. “I refuse to give up. South Carolina will cast their votes on Saturday. But on Sunday, I’ll still be in the race for president. I’m here to stay.”
Haley also asserted, “I am not afraid of facing any repercussions from Trump.”
As she campaigned in the final days leading up to the primary, Haley assured her supporters, “I am prepared to endure the challenges. I am ready to face the difficulties. This journey may be tumultuous, and I am willing to endure the pain because I believe that nothing worthwhile comes without struggle. Sometimes, we must experience hardship to truly appreciate the blessings.”
Throughout this month, Haley has intensified her criticism of Trump, addressing various issues including his legal troubles, controversial remarks on NATO, the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and even his mockery of her husband, who is currently serving on a military tour overseas.
Trump has secured significant victories in the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary in January, as well as winning by a large margin in the Nevada and U.S. Virgin Island caucuses earlier this month, further solidifying his path to securing the nomination.
Trump has made only a few appearances in South Carolina this month compared to his extensive campaign efforts elsewhere. Despite this, the latest polls show that the former president maintains a significant lead in double digits.
Although South Carolina is Nikki Haley’s home state, Trump enjoys widespread support from the state’s governor, the majority of its congressional delegation, and numerous state lawmakers and local officials.
Veteran Republican consultant Dave Wilson, based in South Carolina, highlighted the significant support for Trump in the state, emphasizing the “groundswell” behind the former president and the strength of his “ground forces.”
Remaining neutral in the primary, Wilson pointed out that “Nikki Haley is reintroducing herself to South Carolina,” acknowledging the changes in the state’s demographics since her time as governor, with nearly a million new residents having moved in.
However, despite acknowledging the demographic shifts and the challenges Haley faces in reintroducing herself to South Carolina, Wilson emphasized Haley’s undefeated electoral record, stating, “Never underestimate Nikki Haley. Never count Nikki Haley out.”
In South Carolina, an open primary system is in place, allowing Republicans, independents, and even Democrats to participate in the GOP presidential nominating contest, provided they did not vote in the Democratic presidential primary held on February 3rd.
Independents played a significant role in Nikki Haley’s 43% performance in New Hampshire, where she trailed Trump by 11 points.
However, while independent voters have historically held sway in the first-in-the-nation primary, their influence is notably diminished in South Carolina’s conservative electorate. Here, evangelical voters hold considerable prominence in GOP contests.
Irrespective of the outcome in South Carolina, Nikki Haley has consistently committed to remaining in the Republican presidential nomination race at least until March 5, when 15 states hold contests on Super Tuesday.
“We are fully focused on each state as it comes. Right now, it’s South Carolina on Saturday. Next, it will be Michigan, then the Super Tuesday states, and we’ll continue from there,” Haley stated in an interview with US Newzs Digital on Wednesday in North Augusta, S.C. “Our objective is to ensure that every voice has an opportunity to be heard.”
On Friday, Haley’s campaign announced its plans to launch a national cable ad blitz ahead of Super Tuesday.
Super Tuesday will see nearly 800 delegates at stake, with an additional 150 up for grabs over the following two weeks. States like California and Texas, which boast significant delegate counts, will hold contests on Super Tuesday. Meanwhile, states like Florida, Illinois, and Ohio will host winner-take-all primaries on March 19. Polling in many of these states suggests that Trump maintains sizable leads over Haley.
In response to the Trump campaign’s prediction that the former president would secure the nomination on March 19, even under a “most-generous model” for Haley, she swiftly replied when asked by US Newzs what she would do if Trump clinches the nomination next month, saying, “Let’s see if it happens.”