Donald Trump labeled 'coward' after Nikki Haley challenges ex-POTUS to debate for mocking her husband's military service

GILBERT, SOUTH CAROLINA: Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley retorted to former President Donald Trump's insult regarding her military-serving husband's absence from her campaign trail, challenging him to debate her face-to-face, reported ABC News.

The Republican frontrunner, in a rally at Conway in South Carolina on Saturday, February 10, mockingly stated, "Where's her husband? Oh, he's away. He's away. What happened to her husband? What happened to her husband? Where is he? He's gone. He knew. He knew."

Haley's husband Maj Michael Haley is currently deployed overseas, serving in the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Bridge in the Horn of Africa.

The former South Carolina Governor rebuked Trump on the same day at a campaign event in Gilbert, South Carolina.

"I need to start with the fact that Donald Trump had a rally today, and in that rally, he mocked my husband's military service," she said.

"And I'll say this, Donald, if you have something to say, don't say it behind my back. Get on a debate stage and say it to my face," the former UN Ambassador asserted.

Trump's remarks gained attention in light of earlier reports hinting Haley cheated on her husband while he was deployed overseas, as per a Daily Mail report.

Nikki Haley argues Donald Trump does not deserve to be president

The former South Carolina Governor, who has failed to gain any momentum against Trump, claimed the ex-President does not deserve to hold office for mocking the services of a combat veteran.

"I have long talked about the fact that we need to have mental competency tests for anyone over the age of 75. Donald Trump claims that he would pass that — maybe he would, maybe he wouldn't. But if you mock the service of a combat veteran, you don't deserve a driver's license, let alone being President of the United States."

The former President, who has a bad reputation for insulting army veterans, during a campaign event, mocked the late Sen John McCain for the injuries he sustained as a prisoner of war during widespread backlash from netizens as well as his daughter Meghan McCain, who pledged not to vote for Trump.

Furthermore, the ex-Preseident allegedly made disparaging comments about fallen American soldiers labeling them "losers" and "suckers."

Haley's husband also slammed Trump, sharing a meme on X that read, "The difference between humans and animals? Animals would never allow the dumbest ones to lead the pack."

The only remaining GOP presidential candidates, Trump and the former UN Ambassador, will face each other next on February 24 at the South Carolina primary.

Internet reacts

In response to Haley's challenge for a debate with Trump, online users suggested that such an event might not occur because the former President is scared.

One user said, "He won't, he's a coward."

Another user opined, "#Trumps is too afraid to debate anyone with brains." A third user added, "Trump has ZERO respect for our military."

"Trump is TOO SCARED to debate… His name calling is old and tired…" a fourth response read. Another user shared a similar response, "Trump's too scared to debate."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.