Former President Donald Trump is casting aside any pretense of graciousness in victory.
The front-runner for president doubled down on his attacks at Nikki Haley following her defiant New Hampshire concession speech.
Despite losing to Trump by 11-points, Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and Trump administration's U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, used the speech to insist the race was “far from over.”
Trump counterpunched in his victory speech, criticizing Haley's policy positions, cognitive abilities, even her dress.
Now, the former president is warning Haley donors that any future contributions will guarantee they'll never get in his inner circle.
The ultimatum cast aside advice from some Republicans who've encouraged Trump to stress party unity and not be baited into a feud.
On his social media site one day after his New Hampshire victory, Trump wrote:
Nikki “Birdbrain” Haley is very bad for the Republican Party and, indeed, our Country. Her False Statements, Derogatory Comments, and Humiliating Public Loss, is demeaning to True American Patriots. Her anger should be aimed at her Third Rate Political Consultants and, more importantly, Crooked Joe Biden and those that are destroying our Country – NOT THE PEOPLE WHO WILL SAVE IT.
“I knew Nikki well, she was average at best, is not the one to take on World Leaders, and she never did,” he claimed. Trump appointed Haley U.S. ambassador to the U.N. in 2017. “That was up to me, and that is why they respected the United States.”
Then came his warning to Haley supporters, implying he would permanently ban any Republican who finances her campaign:
When I ran for Office and won, I noticed that the losing Candidate's “Donors” would immediately come to me, and want to “help out.” This is standard in Politics, but no longer with me. Anybody that makes a “Contribution” to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We don't want them, and will not accept them, because we Put America First, and ALWAYS WILL!
Mediaite's Charlie Nash reported one notable reaction to the intra-party feud:
Sarah Matthews, who served as former President Donald Trump's deputy White House press secretary between 2020 and 2021, responded to Trump's warning to Nikki Haley donors on Wednesday by donating to Haley's campaign.
After Trump warned Republicans that “from this moment forth,” anyone who donates to Haley's campaign will be “permanently barred from the MAGA camp,” Matthews donated to Haley's campaign and publicly shared a receipt of the donation on social media.
“Done. Join me in donating to @NikkiHaley here,” wrote Matthews, along with a link to Haley's donation page.
Matthews offered no explanation for her decision.
Despite her losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, Haley vows to continue onto her home state of South Carolina — where she's 35-points behind Trump.
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