Trump Solidifies Presidential Bid with Victory in Haley's Stronghold South Carolina (Comprehensive)

by Jang Hyowon

Published 25 Feb.2024 10:10(KST)

Updated 26 Feb.2024 07:19(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the Republican presidential primary held in South Carolina, former President Donald Trump continued his winning streak by defeating his rival, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, securing his fifth consecutive victory. This is seen as effectively solidifying his ticket to the presidential race.

According to Yonhap News and foreign media, after the South Carolina Republican primary voting ended at 7 p.m. local time on the 24th, exit polls and other data predicted a victory for former President Trump.

Accordingly, former President Trump has won all the primaries held so far, including Iowa and New Hampshire in January, Nevada and the Virgin Islands this month, and now South Carolina. South Carolina is Haley's hometown, where she served as a member of the House of Representatives and as governor, making Trump's victory there particularly significant.

Additionally, despite causing controversy with his statement during a rally on the 10th that NATO member countries not meeting the '2% of GDP defense spending' pledge would be told by Russia to 'do whatever they want,' Trump secured the expected victory, confirming his overwhelming support within the Republican Party.

On the other hand, former Ambassador Haley is expected to face pressure to withdraw from within the party, including from Trump supporters, after suffering defeat even in her political stronghold of South Carolina.

With the general election matchup in November increasingly solidifying as a rematch between Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Trump, the focus of American politics is on when Haley will announce her withdrawal from the primary race.

The Republican Party will have completed about 70% of the delegate count after holding primaries in four states?Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington?on March 12, five states?Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Ohio?on March 19, and Louisiana on March 23.

Meanwhile, former President Trump is aiming to secure the Republican presidential nomination by Super Tuesday on March 5, allowing him to focus on the general election contest against President Biden.