In a recent interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley escalated her critique of former President Donald Trump. Haley, who once served as the US ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, has begun to question his fitness for presidency, his financial capabilities, and his moral compass.
Her comments come as she fights to prevent a damaging defeat in her home state primary. Haley’s sudden shift in tone raises questions about her strategy. Is she finding her voice, targeting Trump with a new hardline approach, or simply following the path of other Republican candidates who have criticized Trump only after their own campaigns faltered?
Despite her intensified critique, Haley has stopped short of launching a full-scale attack on Trump’s perceived unfitness for office or his assault on democracy, unlike her former Republican primary rival Chris Christie or ex-Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney. Such a move could potentially end her political career within the Republican party.
However, Haley’s strategy is not without risks. Few Republicans have emerged unscathed from a direct confrontation with Trump, given his strong influence over the party’s base voters and his penchant for aggressive counterattacks.
In her interview with Tapper, Haley highlighted recent filings showing that two of Trump’s political action committees had spent nearly $29 million on his legal fees during the last six months of 2023. She questioned whether Trump could mount a successful campaign against President Joe Biden while dealing with such significant legal expenses.
Despite her criticisms, Haley has been careful not to completely sever ties with Trump or his supporters. She has refrained from delving deeply into Trump’s legal issues or his false claims of 2020 election fraud. Instead, she has argued for a new generation of leadership to move the country forward.
However, Haley’s cautious approach may not be enough to sway the majority of Republican voters. A recent CNN/SSRS poll showed that 70% of Republicans preferred Trump as their nominee, compared to just 19% for Haley.
As Haley continues her campaign, Trump’s team has begun to increase its counterattacks, hoping to end her White House bid with a decisive victory in South Carolina. Whether Haley’s new strategy will be enough to turn the tide in her favor remains to be seen.