Pro-Haley account shares Mace’s past praise of her as ‘great leader’ after criticism

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to note the account that shared the video is not affiliated with Nikki Haley’s campaign.

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley shared a video of Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-S.C.) past praise of the former U.N. ambassador, in response to Mace’s recent criticisms.

In the 2022 video, Mace calls Haley a “great leader.” 

Mace has slammed Haley’s White House bid in consecutive South Carolina events Thursday and Friday.

The account NikkiHaleyHQ, which is not affiliated with her campaign, responded by sharing the video on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting the praise Mace was doling out during the congresswoman’s reelection race in 2022.

In the video, accompanied by the caption “Thanks for the kind words, Nancy Mace!,” Mace praised Haley as a “rock star” and someone Mace considered a “mentor.”

“I also want to thank former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley,” Mace said. “She is a rock star, and she’s been on the campaign trail with us the last couple of days. She’s become a good friend, a good mentor, she’s a great leader, she lives right here in the Lowcountry. She’s been a great leader for the state of South Carolina, she’s been a great leader for our nation.”

She also praised Haley’s work ethic, sharing the time when Haley responded to her in minutes while still working overseas.

“And I have to tell you, the very last debate we ever had in this election, I was texting and calling and trying to get some advice, and I texted her,” Mace said. “I didn’t realize she was on the other side of the world, 14 hours ahead of time, and she responded in five minutes.”

Mace endorsed former President Trump shortly before the New Hampshire primary, which he won by more than 10 points. The South Carolina congresswoman called for the Republican Party to unite behind the former president ahead of a likely match-up with President Bidein in November. 

Her posture toward the former South Carolina governor has shifted; Haley used to do stump speeches and appear in ads for Mace, who needed some help when running for reelection in South Carolina’s 1st District.

In 2022, Mace squared up against Katie Arrington, a Trump-endorsed candidate. Mace won but was criticized at the time within the Trump world for going after the former president on TV in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Mace and Haley have not spoken in more than a year, according to The Associated Press.

Updated at 3:38 p.m. ET