- Haley criticized President Trump for asking about her husband's whereabouts while on active duty.
- She said anyone who mocks the accomplishments of veterans is unfit to be president.
- The exchange took place as Haley and Trump competed for the Republican primary nomination in South Carolina.
Republican presidential primary candidate Nikki Haley slammed former President Donald Trump for questioning her husband's whereabouts while he is currently on active duty.
At Saturday's rally in Conway, South Carolina, President Trump said, “Where's her husband? Oh, he's not there. He's not there. What happened to her husband? What happened to her husband? He's… Where is he? He’s not there,” he asked mockingly.
“He knew. He knew,” Trump added mysteriously.
Some interpreted Trump's provocative questions as a veiled jab at the couple's marital status.
Maj. Michael Haley of the South Carolina Army National Guard has been deployed to the Horn of Africa since June of last year.
The former South Carolina governor condemned President Trump's comments at another rally in Gilbert, South Carolina.
“We have to start with the fact that Donald Trump held a rally today where he mocked my husband's military service,” she said.
“I've been talking for a long time about the fact that people over the age of 75 need to take a mental competency test. Donald Trump claims he can pass it, and he probably will. Yes, you probably won't pass. But if you make fun of the accomplishments of veterans, you don't deserve a driver's license, much less be President of the United States.”
Haley doubled down on her criticism of the former president on the X show, adding, “Michael is being sent to serve our country, and that's something you know nothing about.”
Haley previously said she was “so proud” of her husband's service and joked that his deployments tend to happen at “really interesting times.”
Trump is known to have Evaded conscription 5 timesonce in my heel due to a bone spur, and four times in college.
He has often been criticized for comments disparaging veterans.
Haley's husband also responded with a post on X, posting a photo of a wolf with the words: “What's the difference between humans and animals?” Animals will never allow the stupidest animal to lead the herd. ”
The war of words began as President Trump aims to win Haley's home state in the upcoming Republican primary.
Haley has also stepped up her attacks on Trump, particularly focusing on his age and age. Cognitive ability.
Polls in South Carolina show Trump with a wide lead over Haley, and a blowout loss in the state could jeopardize the future of Trump's campaign.
