Share this @internewscast.com

ALTOONA, Iowa — Nikki Haley went after Ron DeSantis directly at an Iowa town hall Sunday night, as the two battle for second in the GOP presidential contest’s early states.

“While Ron is lying about me, I’m going to tell you the truth about him,” she told the crowd at the Fireside Grill in Altoona. “You haven’t heard me in any town halls — the press can tell you — I have not talked negatively about anybody. But if you’ve got to lie to win, you don’t deserve to win.”

The feud between Haley and DeSantis, both trailing former President Donald Trump by double digits in most polls of Iowa and other states, has been escalating for weeks. Both want to position themselves as the main alternative to Trump in the GOP presidential race.

But what was notable about this 90-second attack aimed at DeSantis is that Haley did it at the end of her standard stump speech. While DeSantis comes up in response to questions thrown at Haley, she rarely attacks him directly, and her stump speech has remained largely unchanged for the bulk of the campaign.

Haley’s Sunday comments began with a reference to pro-DeSantis ads.

“I am seeing the ads that you are seeing on TV,” she said. “Ron DeSantis has not put one truthful ad up there about me.”

Super PACs boosting each candidate have flung attacks both ways in recent months on issues like ties to China and support for Israel, amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

While Haley’s campaign put out a digital ad earlier this week attacking DeSantis for his position on entitlements, Haley herself has not engaged with DeSantis’ increasing criticism of her in recent weeks.

On Sunday, after criticizing DeSantis on spending and energy policy, Haley then brought up DeSantis campaigning with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in Iowa on Saturday.

“You can’t be pro-Israel, and bring the most anti-Israel Republican into this state, who voted against fighting antisemitism on college campuses and voted against calling out Hamas,” Haley said. “He voted with ‘the Squad’ and that’s who he brought to your state.”

In response, DeSantis said that Massie is not against Israel specifically but against all foreign aid.

“Obviously, I’ve been a big supporter of supporting Israel. I think it’s in our national interest,” the Florida governor told reporters Saturday. “But when he gets tagged as somehow being against Israel specifically, that is not true. He has voted against 100% of it. That’s his position. And he’s been very principled on that and we don’t have to agree on that.”

In a statement, DeSantis’ campaign press secretary, Bryan Griffin, called him “the clearest, most consistent pro-Israel candidate in this race” and said Haley was “trying to distract from her record of inviting Gaza refugees to the U.S. and supporting U.S. tax dollars going to the Gaza Strip.” DeSantis’ campaign has been hitting Haley with the debunked charge that she wanted to accept Gazan refugees for several months.

With the Iowa caucus less than a month away, the most recent NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll of the state showed Trump leading the GOP field with 51% support, followed by DeSantis at 19% and Haley at 16%, with the fight for second place within the margin of error.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Can AI keep students motivated, or does it do the opposite?

Unlocking Student Potential: How AI Transforms Motivation in the Classroom

Imagine a student employing a writing assistant fueled by a generative AI…
Multiple people shot at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in Chester County: DA

Shooting Incident Reported at Lincoln University in Chester County: District Attorney Provides Update

Authorities have reported that multiple individuals were injured in a shooting incident…
Trump pick for religious freedom envoy visits Holy Land, cites strong US-Israel bond

Trump’s Religious Freedom Envoy Highlights Robust US-Israel Ties During Holy Land Visit

During his recent visit to Israel, Ambassador-Designate for International Religious Freedom, Mark…
Warfare expert calls Gaza rebuilding plan 'Disneyland strategy' to defeat Hamas

Warfare Expert Criticizes Gaza Rebuilding Strategy as ‘Disneyland Approach’ in Hamas Conflict Resolution

As the tenuous ceasefire in Gaza holds steady, a novel proposal to…
Investigators uncover possible serial killer linked to women’s murders, missing TV anchor

Investigators Discover Potential Serial Killer Connection to Women’s Murders and Disappearance of TV Anchor

This week, officials disclosed that a man once considered a key figure…
Rubio says commitment to Taiwan won't change amid trade talks with China

Rubio Affirms Unwavering Support for Taiwan Despite Ongoing China Trade Discussions

On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ enduring…
Freed Gaza Prisoner Reveals “Hell Beneath the Ground”

Inside Gaza’s Underground Nightmare: A Former Detainee’s Harrowing Tale

A recently freed Palestinian detainee has delivered devastating testimony detailing what he…
FBI Director Kash Patel plans travel to China in fentanyl crackdown effort

FBI Director Kash Patel to Visit China in Strategic Move to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

FBI Director Kash Patel is scheduled to travel to China next month,…
Hormel recalls 4.8M pounds of frozen chicken after multiple metal contamination reports

Hormel Initiates Recall of 4.8 Million Pounds of Frozen Chicken Due to Metal Contamination Concerns

Hormel Foods has chosen to withdraw several of its frozen chicken offerings…
One hospitalized after suspected shooting at Austin public library prompting massive police response

Suspected Shooting at Austin Library Triggers Major Police Response, One Person Hospitalized

A serious incident unfolded at the Austin Central Library in Texas on…
The Latest: What’s in store for the AP Top 25

Breaking Down the Future of the AP Top 25 Rankings

Anticipate minimal changes at the peak of the AP Top 25 rankings,…
Trump witnesses Thailand, Cambodia sign peace expansion months after brokering ceasefire

Historic Peace Expansion: Trump Celebrates Landmark Thailand-Cambodia Accord Following Ceasefire Success

On Sunday, Cambodia and Thailand officially extended a ceasefire agreement that was…