At a rally in South Carolina, Former President Donald Trump launched an attack on his rival Nikki Haley, mocking the absence of her husband, who is currently deployed overseas.
Trump questioned the whereabouts of Haley’s husband, Michael Haley, who is deployed in Africa with the South Carolina Army National Guard.
Haley responded by stating that mocking the service of a combat veteran is unacceptable, and she challenged Trump to voice his opinions directly, suggesting a face-to-face debate.
Trump (Credits: The New York Times)
In a rare move, Michael Haley also responded to Trump’s comments, posting a meme on Twitter that emphasized the difference between humans and animals. The meme indirectly criticized Trump’s leadership style.
Despite the back-and-forth, Trump’s confidence has grown after victories in early presidential nominating contests. His campaign is increasingly confident that he will secure enough delegates by mid-March to be declared the presumptive Republican nominee ahead of the GOP national convention in July.
Trump’s recent stop in South Carolina was part of his active campaign schedule, which included appearances in Nevada and Pennsylvania.
Haley, the former South Carolina governor, has faced criticism from Trump and his allies, portraying her as weak on border security. Trump views the South Carolina primary, scheduled for February 24, as an opportunity to deliver a significant blow to Haley’s candidacy.
Trump’s campaign advisers indicate that their strategy is less aggressive in South Carolina compared to earlier nominating states, reflecting Trump’s strong position in both internal and public polls.
Despite the optimism, Haley has emphasized her commitment to staying in the race and competing through Super Tuesday on March 5.
Trump’s attacks on Haley during the rally included calling her “brain dead” and questioning her ability to pass a cognitive test. Haley, in response, distributed mental competency tests during her campaign stop in South Carolina and has called for such tests for politicians over the age of 75.
As the campaign intensifies, both Trump and Haley are actively engaging in verbal sparring, setting the stage for a potentially contentious primary season.
