Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, has clinched a significant victory in the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential primaries by triumphing over former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley in her home state of South Carolina.
Following the closure of polls on Saturday evening, The Associated Press and other prominent US media outlets promptly declared Trump as the winner of the state’s GOP primary.
While the final results are yet to be officially announced, initial tallies from Edison Research show Trump leading with 59.7 percent of the vote compared to Haley’s 39.7 percent, with approximately half of the expected votes counted.
Addressing his supporters at an election night gathering in Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, the former president shifted focus to the upcoming general election in November, vowing that under his leadership, the United States would command unprecedented respect on the global stage.
Trump remarked, “There’s never been a spirit like this. I have never seen the Republican Party so unified as it is right now.”
Despite facing a barrage of legal challenges, including civil and criminal cases, Trump has maintained a firm hold over the Republican caucus, triumphing in every state contest thus far.
His victory in South Carolina further solidifies the prospect of a rematch between him and his Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden, in the November elections.
Reporting from South Carolina, Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi observed Trump’s omission of Haley’s name in his victory speech, emphasizing Trump’s focus on his Democratic rival, Biden.
However, Haley, who served as South Carolina’s governor from 2011 to 2017, affirmed her commitment to continue her campaign at least until the Super Tuesday contests on March 5, when 15 US states and a territory hold their primaries.
Addressing her supporters in Charleston following her defeat, Haley reiterated her determination, stating, “I said earlier this week that, no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run for president. I’m a woman of my word.”
She further emphasized her belief in providing voters with a genuine choice, contrasting it with what she termed a “Soviet-style election with only one candidate.”
Despite her resolve, Haley faces significant challenges in securing the Republican Party’s nomination, with the party predominantly aligning itself with Trump.
In contrast to Haley’s struggle to garner high-profile endorsements in her home state, Trump celebrated his victory in South Carolina alongside prominent backers, including both of the state’s senators, Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham, as well as the governor.
Arriving in South Carolina shortly after delivering a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland, Trump utilized much of his address to criticize Biden, whom he accused of presiding over the nation’s decline.
In response, Biden has characterized Trump and his supporters as a threat to democracy, urging Americans across party lines to support his candidacy in defense of democratic values.
Trump, who faces multiple criminal indictments, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, labeling the legal proceedings against him as politically motivated.