In a dramatic turn of events at an Iowa town hall on Sunday night, Nikki Haley took a direct swipe at fellow GOP contender Ron DeSantis.
The two are vying for the second spot in the Republican presidential race, trailing significantly behind former President Donald Trump in polls across Iowa and other states.
Nikki Haley Takes Aim
Addressing a crowd at the Fireside Grill in Altoona, Haley accused DeSantis of spreading falsehoods about her, stating, “While Ron is lying about me, I’m going to tell you the truth about him.” She emphasized her commitment to a positive campaign, stating, “You haven’t heard me in any town halls — the press can tell you — I have not talked negatively about anybody. But if you’ve got to lie to win, you don’t deserve to win.”
The ongoing feud between Haley and DeSantis, who are striving to position themselves as the primary alternative to Trump, has intensified recently.
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This particular attack was noteworthy because Haley chose to deliver it at the end of her standard stump speech. While she occasionally responds to questions about DeSantis, direct attacks in her stump speech have been rare, maintaining a consistent tone throughout the campaign.
Haley’s criticism began with a reference to pro-DeSantis advertisements. “I am seeing the ads that you are seeing on TV,” she said. “Ron DeSantis has not put one truthful ad up there about me.”
Super PACs supporting both candidates have exchanged attacks, touching on issues such as ties to China and support for Israel amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
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Iowa Becomes Battleground
Although Haley’s campaign released a digital ad earlier in the week targeting DeSantis on entitlements, Haley herself had refrained from engaging directly with DeSantis’ increasing criticism until Sunday. During the town hall, she criticized DeSantis on spending and energy policy, and then pivoted to his recent campaign appearance with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in Iowa.
“You can’t be pro-Israel and bring the most anti-Israel Republican into this state, who voted against fighting antisemitism on college campuses and voted against calling out Hamas,” Haley asserted, referring to Massie. “He voted with ‘the Squad’ and that’s who he brought to your state.”
DeSantis responded, clarifying Massie’s position as against all foreign aid, not specifically against Israel. He emphasized his longstanding support for Israel and national interest.
In response to the accusations, DeSantis’ campaign press secretary, Bryan Griffin, defended the Florida governor as “the clearest, most consistent pro-Israel candidate in this race.” Griffin accused Haley of attempting to distract from her alleged support for inviting Gaza refugees to the U.S. and endorsing U.S. tax dollars going to the Gaza Strip, a charge DeSantis’ campaign has repeatedly leveled against Haley.
As the Iowa caucus approaches, the latest NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll indicates Trump leading the GOP field with 51% support, followed by DeSantis at 19% and Haley at 16%, with the battle for second place within the margin of error.
The clash between Haley and DeSantis adds intensity to the race as candidates vie for their position in the Republican presidential contest.
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