Former President Donald Trump intensified his battle against GOP contender Nikki Haley on Tuesday, December 19, with the release of a blistering campaign ad titled “High Tax Haley.” In a bold move, Trump dives into Haley’s political history, accusing her of deceptive campaign promises and labeling her as a typical tax-raising politician.
The hard-hitting 30-second television spot, rapidly gaining traction on social media, opens with a male voiceover recounting Haley’s commitment in 2013: “Nikki Haley promised us…” It then juxtaposes her pledge against a 2015 proposal, exposing her call to “increase the gas tax by 10 cents” during her tenure as South Carolina governor.
Trump, known for his no-nonsense approach, wastes no time branding Haley as “High Tax Haley” in the ad, strategically using split screens to highlight what he perceives as her double-talk. This preemptive strike is aimed directly at the early-voting state of New Hampshire, where taxes remain a hot-button issue.
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The moniker, “High Tax Haley,” is intended to stick and define Haley’s political record, particularly in the fiscally conservative landscape of New Hampshire. Trump’s allies describe the ad campaign as a targeted “carpet bombing run,” seeking to swiftly and decisively diminish Haley’s traction in the Granite State.
With Haley gaining ground in the early stages of the race, Trump appears relentless in challenging her attempts to present a populist, fiscally conservative platform that challenges his economic credentials. Observers note that Trump’s scorched earth playbook is in full swing, as he openly engages in a campaign to undermine Haley’s credibility.
“This ad signals open warfare for the soul of the Republican Party,” commented one observer on social media. “Trump is out to demolish Haley by any means necessary.”
As the primary heats up, how Haley responds to Trump’s onslaught could define her candidacy. Trump, for now, seems content bombarding her with attacks early and often, setting the stage for what promises to be a blistering brawl in the coming months.
