Former U.N. Ambassador and GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley condemned comments made by ex-President Donald Trump, who belittled the military service of her husband. The incident added heat to the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party.
Haley’s husband is deployed with the South Carolina Army National Guard in Africa. Trump had questioned why Michael Haley was absent from his wife’s campaign events at a rally held in South Carolina.
“The closest Donald Trump has ever come to harm’s way is a rogue golf ball hitting his cart,” Haley posted on X.
She elaborated on the sacrifices made by military personnel and said that derogatory comments toward veterans should not be tolerated. According to Haley, these remarks were especially grievous given Trump’s lack of military experience, an apparent nod to his medical deferment during the Vietnam War for bone spurs.
Her campaign further escalated the situation by broadcasting an ad listing previous instances wherein Trump allegedly disrespected veterans—a tactic designed to appeal to the patriotic sentiments of the electorate.
In a Fox News interview, Haley expanded on her criticism of Trump’s attitude toward the military, characterizing his comments as “disgusting” and offensive to all veterans.
Responding to Haley’s criticisms, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung released a statement championing Trump’s defense of the armed forces. He challenged Haley’s foreign policy record, asserting that her strategies embody submissive attitudes to China and endorse protracted conflicts abroad, policies he described as detrimental to American interests.
