GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley highlighted Donald Trump’s past praise of dictators and terrorist groups like Hezbollah during a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual summit Saturday.
Unlike many of his other 2024 rivals, Haley, who served as US ambassador to the UN from 2017 to 2018, called him by name during the GOP rally.
He launched an apparent rebuke to Trump’s recent comments criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not being “unprepared” for the October 7 massacre, comments that appeared to be fueled by hostility to his claims that Netanyahu was disloyal to him by congratulating the President Biden on his victory in 2020.
Trump also called fellow Iranian-backed anti-Israel Lebanese group Hezbollah — designated a terrorist organization by the US — “very smart.” His campaign later explained that “smart does not equal good.”
“As president, I will not praise Hezbollah. Nor will I criticize the prime minister of Israel in the midst of tragedy and war,” Haley vowed. “Nor will I praise the Chinese Communist President Xi. Nor will I call North Korea’s Kim Jong Un my friend.”
“These are not good or smart people,” he continued. “They want us to remain divided, distracted, and morally confused.”
GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley ripped Donald Trump during a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual summit Saturday.ZUMAPRESS.com GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley weighed in on Donald Trump’s past praise for dictators.AFP/Getty Images
“History will record that Donald Trump is a pro-Israel president,” he said, touting his achievements such as the Abrahamic Covenant. “But as Americans, we need to ask critical questions. We all know what Trump has done in the past. The question is… what will he do in the future?”
Haley, who has been steadily rising in the GOP polls recently after jumping to third place recently, emphasized that “we are living in the most dangerous period of our lives.”
“The stakes couldn’t be higher. And given that importance, we cannot have chaos, revenge and drama for four years,” he added in a jab at his old boss.
Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands as they hold a joint news conference after their meeting in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018.REUTERS Donald Trump shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un June 30, 2019.via REUTERS
The 51-year-old former South Carolina governor also confirmed his support for Israel in its fight against Hamas, following the deadly surprise attack on October 7.
He said the US should “give Israel everything it needs to destroy Hamas – once and for all.”
At least 33 Americans have been killed in Israel, according to the State Department.
Trump used his speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition summit to sharply warn terrorist groups against American attacks.
Donald Trump has brushed aside criticism for being too cozy with dictators, arguing that he wants to get along with everyone on the world stage. Brian Prahl / SplashNews.com
“When I’m back in the White House, our enemies will once again realize that ‘if you spill a drop of American blood, we’ll spill a gallon of yours,'” Trump promised during his speech.
Haley has previously aligned herself with Trump on foreign policy, blasting his “friendliness” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump is the GOP frontrunner with 59.1% support nationally while Haley is third behind Ron DeSantis at 8.3%, according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate.
The Nevada caucuses are the third 2024 GOP presidential contest and are scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
