GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley unleashed criticism on the Republican National Committee (RNC), citing Lara Trump’s assertion that every penny should go toward electing Donald Trump as president.
On ABC’s “This Week,” co-anchor Johnathan Karl asked Haley to respond to Lara Trump’s comments. Haley lambasted former Trump’s sway over the RNC, accusing him of using party funds for personal legal battles and attempting to control party leadership.
“I mean it should be a wake-up call for Republicans all over this country,” Haley said on Sunday. “I mean you look at the fact that we saw in his campaign reports that he used $50 million of campaign contributions to pay for his personal court cases. Then he tried to get the RNC to name him the presumptive nominee. We don’t anoint kings in America.”
Lara Trump’s pledge came just days after the former president threw his support behind his daughter-in-law to serve as co-chair of the RNC. Donald Trump called her “an extremely talented communicator who is dedicated to all that MAGA stands for” while also endorsing North Carolina GOP Party Chair Michael Whatley to serve as RNC chair.
Karl then pressed Haley about her previous pledge to support Trump if he secured the Republican nomination. Haley reiterated that she does not believe Trump is the right person for the presidency.
“I don’t think he’s the right person at the right time. I don’t think he should be president. The last thing on my mind is who I’m going to support,” Haley said. “The only thing on my mind is how we’re going to win this. The only thing on my mind is how we’re going to make sure that we correct what’s happening in America and we bring this country back together, allow her to heal and move in a strong way.”
Karl also asked Haley about the recent death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Haley went after Tump’s recent remarks suggesting support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggressive actions.
Haley then criticized President Biden and congressional leaders for failing to prioritize national security, saying, “Joe Biden has failed on that front. That has emboldened our enemies.”
Haley also emphasized her commitment to the presidency and defeating Trump.
“If Donald Trump is the nominee of the for the Republican Party, he will not win. Every poll shows that. He will not win. And we will have a president Kamala Harris,” she said. “I’m not going to allow that to happen. I’m not stopping. I’m not going anywhere. We’re going to do this for the long haul and we’re going to finish it.”