The fury of former President Donald Trump has reportedly intensified as his former UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, persists in her 2024 Republican presidential bid, despite Trump’s substantial victories in the initial contests. According to a report by The Guardian on January 27, 2023, Trump is “consumed with rage” as Haley’s refusal to step aside impedes his transition to the general election and his focus on presumptive Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden.
Having secured significant wins in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, Trump had hoped to force Haley out of the race before the pivotal South Carolina contest, a state where she previously served as governor. However, Haley, who claimed third place in Iowa and second in New Hampshire, remains committed to her campaign. She asserts herself as the sole candidate capable of offering a positive and optimistic vision, distinct from Trump’s divisive rhetoric.
Trump’s frustration has manifested in a barrage of attacks on Haley, targeting her appearance, loyalty, and labeling her as a “loser” and a “traitor.” During a speech in New Hampshire, Trump criticized her, saying, “She’s a very disloyal person. She worked for me and then she stabbed me in the back, she’s not a leader, she’s a follower. She’s a weak and pathetic person, she’s a loser.”
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Haley’s defiance is further aggravating Trump due to endorsements from prominent Republicans and conservative media outlets, including the Koch network and The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, praising her as a “principled” and “reform-minded” conservative. Haley has also openly criticized some of Trump’s policies and actions, such as his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
In response, Haley acknowledges Trump’s achievements but emphasizes her disagreement with certain aspects, advocating for a more inclusive and diverse Republican agenda beyond Trump’s influence.
Political observers view Trump’s fixation on Haley as a manifestation of insecurity and vulnerability, given his legal and financial challenges and potential loss of influence among the Republican base. Wendy Schiller, a political scientist at Brown University, suggests that Trump’s best strategy would be to shift focus to Biden, but his ego and temperament hinder this approach.
“Donald Trump wants the race to be over, and we see evidence of why that’s important for the Trump campaign from his speech, which was essentially a train wreck and exhibited all the worst tendencies of Donald Trump,” said Schiller. She underscores the risk of damage to Trump’s standing among independent voters in the general election if he continues responding to Haley instead of concentrating on broader issues.
