Donald Trump Strengthens Support in New Hampshire Ahead of Primary
In a show of strength before Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, former President Donald Trump is gathering leaders from Nikki Haley’s home state. Trump’s campaign has announced that he will be joined by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and other senior officials at a rally in Manchester on Saturday night. The rally will also feature appearances by U.S. Representatives Joe Wilson, William Timmons, and Russell Fry, as well as the state’s attorney general, treasurer, and House speaker.
This display of support from South Carolina is another setback for Haley, who is counting on her appeal among independent and unaffiliated voters to secure a strong finish in New Hampshire. Her hope is to turn the race into a two-person contest against Trump. The endorsement of South Carolina Senator Tim Scott at a rally in Concord the day before further solidified Trump’s position.
Haley has had a contentious relationship with many of South Carolina’s Republican power brokers, despite being elected governor twice. She defeated McMaster in the GOP primary during her first run for governor. In response to the show of support for Trump, Haley sarcastically remarked, “I’m sorry, is that the person I ran against for governor and beat? Just checking.”
Haley’s campaign manager, Betsy Ankney, downplayed the significance of endorsements, stating that they have “never been Nikki’s game.” Meanwhile, Haley seized on a gaffe made by Trump during his rally on Friday night. Trump mistakenly suggested that Haley was responsible for securing the Capitol on January 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters stormed the building. Haley was not present at the Capitol that day. She criticized Trump for his failure to take responsibility for the events and questioned his mental fitness for the presidency.
In conclusion, Donald Trump’s gathering of leaders from Nikki Haley’s home state demonstrates his strength and support ahead of the New Hampshire primary. Haley, who is hoping to challenge Trump in the race, faces setbacks as prominent South Carolina officials endorse the former president. The rivalry between Haley and McMaster is evident, and Haley is using Trump’s gaffe to question his ability to lead.
