As the Iowa caucuses draw near, former President Donald Trump and his campaign team have redirected their attention towards GOP presidential contender Nikki Haley. This strategic shift is an attempt to curb Haley’s recent surge in popularity before the first votes of the primary season are cast.
Previously, Trump’s campaign had been primarily focused on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was considered his main GOP rival. However, recent polls have indicated a significant rise in support for Haley, particularly in New Hampshire. A recent CNN survey showed Trump’s lead in the state has been reduced to single digits.
Despite Trump’s public dismissal of these polls, his campaign is taking Haley’s rise seriously. The former president has been scrutinizing Haley’s immigration policies, contrasting them with his own stringent proposals. During a series of campaign events in Iowa, Trump launched his most pointed attacks on Haley to date.
Following the cessation of ad campaigns against DeSantis, Trump’s team launched its first television ad directly targeting Haley’s stance on immigration. The leading super PAC supporting Trump released a similar ad, with both campaigns spending a combined $4.5 million on ads attacking Haley in New Hampshire.
The Trump campaign has also highlighted Haley’s opposition to Trump’s travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, her 2015 comments against describing illegal immigrants as criminals, and her alleged opposition to the construction of a border wall. Haley has refuted these claims, stating that her comments have been taken out of context.
Trump’s advisers deny any change in strategy, stating that Trump has always focused on whoever is in second place. With DeSantis’ support dwindling, Haley has become the new target.
Trump’s recent attacks have included claims that Haley is a globalist and in the pocket of open border establishment donors. He has also amplified a false claim from a far-right outlet that Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, is ineligible to run for president.
With his lead in New Hampshire shrinking, Trump’s team hopes a decisive win in Iowa will halt Haley’s momentum. Despite Haley’s growing support in Iowa, Trump’s team remains confident of a win in the New Hampshire primary later this month.
However, some advisers have expressed caution about the unpredictable nature of independent voters in New Hampshire, where they historically make up a larger share of the electorate than in other states.
CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify details about the share of independents in New Hampshire’s electorate.