Trump Defeats Haley in Her Home State
Former President Donald Trump scored a decisive win in the South Carolina Republican primary on Saturday, defeating former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in her home state. Trump secured all 50 delegates at stake, according to Associated Press projections, and extended his lead in the race for the GOP nomination.
Trump’s victory in South Carolina was expected, as he had the endorsement of most of the state’s Republican leaders, including Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Tim Scott. He also enjoyed strong support from the conservative and evangelical voters who make up a large share of the GOP electorate in the state.
Haley, who served as governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017, was hoping to challenge Trump’s dominance in the South and appeal to the more moderate and suburban voters who have drifted away from the Republican Party under Trump. However, she failed to gain traction in the state where she was once popular, and trailed Trump by more than 30 points in most polls.
Trump Celebrates His Win and Attacks Biden
Trump spoke to his supporters at a rally in Columbia shortly after the race was called, and thanked them for their loyalty and enthusiasm. He did not mention Haley at all, and instead focused on attacking President Joe Biden and his administration’s policies on immigration, energy, health care, and foreign affairs.
Trump accused Biden of being weak and incompetent, and claimed that he was destroying the country with his “radical socialist agenda”. He also repeated his false allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 election, and vowed to “make America great again” if he wins in 2024.
“We’re going to take back our country from these lunatics,” Trump said. “We’re going to restore our borders, our economy, our military, our dignity, and our destiny. We’re going to win, win, win, and we’re not going to stop until we get the job done.”
Haley Vows to Continue Her Campaign
Despite her disappointing performance in South Carolina, Haley said she was not giving up on her presidential bid, and pledged to continue her campaign until the end. She congratulated Trump on his win, but also criticized him for dividing the party and the nation with his rhetoric and actions.
Haley said she was offering a different vision for the Republican Party, one that is more inclusive, optimistic, and principled. She said she wanted to restore the party’s reputation as a champion of freedom, democracy, and human rights, and to counter the “dangerous” policies of the Biden administration.
“I’m not running against Donald Trump. I’m running for the future of our party and our country,” Haley said. “I’m running to bring us together, not tear us apart. I’m running to show the world that America is still the greatest force for good on the planet.”
What Does Trump’s Win Mean for the 2024 Race?
Trump’s win in South Carolina cements his status as the frontrunner and the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party for 2024. He has won all three of the early voting states so far, and has amassed a commanding lead in the delegate count and the national polls. He also has the backing of most of the party’s establishment, base, and media.
Trump’s win also deals a major blow to Haley’s chances, as she has failed to win any state or make a dent in Trump’s support. She faces an uphill battle in the upcoming contests, especially on Super Tuesday, when 14 states will hold their primaries and caucuses. She will need to win some of the larger and more diverse states, such as California, Texas, and Florida, to remain viable and competitive.
However, Haley is not the only challenger that Trump has to worry about. There are still several other candidates in the race, such as Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland, and former Governor John Kasich of Ohio, who are hoping to emerge as the alternative to Trump. They may also benefit from the support of some anti-Trump Republicans, such as the Lincoln Project and the Republican Accountability Project, who are trying to prevent Trump from getting the nomination.
The 2024 Republican race is far from over, and there are still many twists and turns ahead. But Trump’s win in South Carolina shows that he is still the dominant force in the party, and that he will be hard to beat.
