Nikki Haley Raises Dementia Concerns About Trump In Speech

U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley ignited a fiery response from MAGA supporters when she suggested that Donald Trump, 77, might develop dementia.

Haley, who served as a United Nations ambassador in the Trump administration, remains the last major contender for the 2024 GOP nomination alongside Trump. On Saturday, Haley lost the South Carolina primary by 20% to Trump despite it being her home state. Still, she vowed to fight on.

In a speech in Greeneville, South Carolina, Haley dismissed the calls for her to withdraw, and said, “Instead of focusing on how to make America stronger tomorrow, some people want to know if I’m going to cave today… We’ve all heard the calls for me to drop out. We all know where they’re coming from. The political elite, the party bosses, the cheerleaders in the commentator world.”

She firmly declared her intention to stay in the race.

However, it was Haley’s remarks about Trump’s age and the potential risk of dementia that sparked controversy. When she cited the demanding nature of the presidency, Haley questioned whether it was suitable to entrust the highest office to someone in a higher age bracket, with specific reference to Trump. She also made a remark about President Joe Biden, who is 81.

Unsurprisingly, Haley’s comments drew a swift and passionate response from vocal Trump supporters on social media, as many expressed outrage over her suggestion that Trump could be at risk of dementia.

There were also those who dismissed Haley’s concerns and asserted that the risk of dementia affects everyone and the point was irrelevant. Some critics went further and launched personal attacks on Haley where they labelled her an “anti-Republican witch” and claimed there was not chance she would secure the Republican nomination.

Haley has a history of questioning Trump’s cognitive acuity.

The clash between Haley and Trump loyalists highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the passionate support that Trump continues to command.

Last week, Haley said she was worried that Trump would use the RNC as a piggy bank to deal with his spiraling legal costs.