'Yet she will support him': Nikki Haley mocked as former SC Gov says she does not agree with Trump's 'vermin' comment
NEWTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley said that she does not agree with Donald Trump's use of the word "vermin" to describe his political opponents at a town hall in New Hampshire on November 17.
In a Veterans Day speech, the former president stated, "We pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections," as per Des Moines Register.
Notably, his choice of words has drawn widespread criticism, as the term "vermin" was often used by Nazis to refer to Jews.
When asked about Trump's comments, the former United Nations Ambassador replied, "The reality is I don’t agree with that statement any more than I agree when he said Hezbollah was smart or any more than I agree when he hit Netanyahu when his country was on its knees after all that brutality. It’s the chaos of it all, right."
Haley was referring to the fact that Trump had called the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah "very smart" back in October. While making the remarks, he also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
However, he later withdrew his criticism of the Israeli prime minister.
Iowa poll shows Nikki Haley in second place, along with Ron DeSantis
As per the latest Iowa poll, Donald Trump leads in the race for the 2024 presidential election, while Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis occupy the second position.
While Trump was the first choice for 43% of Republican voters, Haley and DeSantis tied with 16%, as per NBC News.
The former South Carolina Governor said she had a good working relationship with Trump as his United Nations ambassador but recalled telling him, "You can be your own worst enemy."
Haley claimed that Republicans lost the elections and lost focus on important issues like national security because of his chaotic comments.
"It’s not so much about Donald Trump. And yes, his personality is not my personality and yes, he says things he shouldn’t say. We look so distracted right now. And when America’s distracted, the world is less safe," stated Haley.
According to the Des Moines Register, Haley has made five campaign appearances in Iowa over a two-day trip on November 16 and 17.
Internet mocks Nikki Haley as she doesn't agree with Donald Trump's 'vermin' comment
Soon after Nikki Haley's statement about Donald Trump's "vermin' comment came to light, netizens mocked the former South Carolina Governor.
"'I don't agree with that statement' is such a courageous stance," wrote one, while another said, "How brave of her."
A person stated, "Yet she will support him if he is the nominee of the GOP. That's when she lost me. She just wants the number 2 spot on the ticket."
"Dry.Fake.Detached," claimed someone else, as one more added, "Oh so she merely 'disagrees' with the statement...... so nice of you."
Another said, "WE don’t look distracted, the GOP does."
"I don't agree with that statement" is such a courageous stance. 🙄
— melina (@melinasia10) November 17, 2023
Yet she will support him if he is the nominee of the GOP. That's when she lost me. She just wants the number 2 spot on the ticket.
— Dee McFadden Townsend (@DeesendMcfadden) November 17, 2023
Oh so she merely "disagrees" with the statement...... so nice of you @NikkiHaley
— Amrita Bastians (@AmritaBastians) November 17, 2023