Trump, Haley increase criticism of each other on the eve of the primary election in New Hampshire

2024-01-21 17:42:29, Kosova & Bota CNA

Trump, Haley increase criticism of each other on the eve of the primary election

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump will deliver their closing arguments in New Hampshire on Sunday, ahead of the state's GOP primary on Tuesday. Former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley is running out of time to close the gap on the Republican front-runner, whose landslide victory in Iowa underscored his dominant position in the Republican primary.

If Ms. Haley fails to secure a victory in New Hampshire on Tuesday, her chances of getting the Republican Party's nomination as its presidential nominee could be completely eliminated.

Former President Trump, who according to polls leads Ms Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire, held a campaign rally in a packed stadium in the city of Manchester on Saturday night, encouraging them to vote on Tuesday in their state primary.

But he also tried to shift attention to the South Carolina primary, which will be held in February.

At a campaign rally, several top state and federal officials from Ms. Haley's home state where she served as governor expressed support for Mr. Trump, including current South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.

"They understand that I am the only candidate in this race who will save America and defeat Mr. Biden," Mr. Trump said.

Ms. Haley has stepped up her attacks on Mr. Trump in recent days, trying to portray him as a businessman and politician whose tenure in the White House has been marked by chaos and who faces four criminal trials, including one for attempting to reversed the outcome of the 2020 election, which he lost to incumbent Joe Biden.

Despite the attacks, some Republican and independent voters say Ms. Haley needs to toughen up her criticism of Mr. Trump and that she has not hit her rival hard enough on the campaign trail.

"I think Mr. Trump should be criticized more harshly," said Chris Jay, 57, a Republican voter who says he leans toward Ms. Haley but would like her to attack former President Trump more harshly.

Mrs Haley took aim at the 77-year-old Trump for his age after he appeared to confuse Mrs Haley with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in his comments. She also criticized him for praising strong authoritarian leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Kim Jong Un.

She said during a campaign rally in the town of Keen that Mr. Trump "must end the appreciation of dictators."

Former President Trump also stepped up his social media attacks on Ms. Haley, targeting her name Nikki and repeating false claims that raise questions about her American citizenship.

Ms. Haley, the daughter of two immigrants from India, was born Nimarata Nikki Randhawa, but for a long time used only the name Nikki and, after marriage, her husband's last name, Haley.

During a campaign rally in Manchester, Mr Trump criticized Ms Haley for the support she has received from some wealthy contributors who have also supported Democratic candidates. He said that Ms. Haley is a threat to Americans' pensions./ VOA