Trump Intensifies Focus on Haley Ahead of Republican Primary Kickoff

Hailey's Dark Horse Rise
Shift of Focus from DeSantis to Hailey

As the Republican presidential primary kicks off with the Iowa caucuses on the 15th, former President Donald Trump has launched a focused attack on former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, whose poll numbers have been rising recently.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 7th (local time), a Trump-supporting super PAC (political action committee) began airing ads attacking Haley in New Hampshire, the second primary state, in mid-last month. It is reported that the ad spending has exceeded $5 million (approximately 6.58 billion KRW).

The Trump campaign also started airing ads last week in New Hampshire criticizing Haley for opposing the construction of a border wall.

Former President Trump has also escalated his criticism of Haley. During a rally in Iowa on the 5th, he attacked Haley as a "globalist" swayed by border openers and establishment donors like Wall Street, emphasizing, "She likes the world, but I like 'America first'." The following day, on the 6th, he criticized Haley for opposing him, saying, "Nikki will sell you out just like she sold me out."

The Trump camp is shifting its attack focus from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to Haley. This is because Haley's poll numbers have risen to second place within the party, following Trump, in various surveys conducted last year.

Jason Miller, a senior advisor to former President Trump, told the political media outlet Politico, "DeSantis's support is nearing single digits everywhere," adding, "Now it's time to focus on Haley."

Former President Trump, who enjoys overwhelming support among Republican voters, hopes to secure the nomination with decisive victories in the Iowa caucuses on the 15th, followed by the primaries in New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. However, if Haley finishes second in the Iowa caucuses, there is speculation that she could gain momentum in the New Hampshire primary, known as the "primary bellwether," held a week later, prompting intensified efforts to counter her.

According to the Haley campaign, her fourth-quarter fundraising totaled $24 million (approximately 31.6 billion KRW), more than doubling compared to the previous quarter.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.