Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s campaign is amplifying its presence in South Carolina with an additional $2 million allocated to advertising, boosting the total ad spend to $6 million ahead of the state’s primary on February 24.
The latest addition to the campaign’s media blitz is a new TV ad titled “More Chaos,” which takes a direct aim at former President Donald Trump. Shared initially with NBC News, the 30-second spot employs language and themes reminiscent of criticisms often wielded by Democrats against Trump.
The ad’s narrator begins by highlighting the turmoil surrounding Trump before questioning his proposed actions while in office. It focuses on Trump’s proposal for a 10% tariff on trade imports, labeling it as “a 10% across-the-board tax increase” that would lead to “more record-breaking debt.”
Nikki Haley (Credits: The Hill)
Trump had initially outlined the possibility of a 10% tariff on imports in August, arguing that companies dumping products in the U.S. should automatically incur a tax. However, this plan drew swift criticism from the Biden administration, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen cautioning that such tariffs would escalate costs for American consumers.
The ad also shifts attention to Trump’s recent remarks regarding NATO, where he suggested he would allow Russia to act freely against NATO countries that fail to meet financial obligations. The narrator characterizes this stance as “a Russian victory that will bring more war,” echoing Haley’s assertion on the campaign trail that Trump’s statements endanger military personnel and national security.
Olivia Perez-Cubas, a spokesperson for Haley, emphasizes that America cannot afford Trump’s “chaos and unhinged policies” amidst global challenges and domestic crises.
The decision to bolster advertising efforts follows increased online fundraising spurred by Haley’s criticisms of Trump. Despite the campaign’s robust financial resources and extensive ad spending, Haley continues to lag significantly in public polling.
