Internet divided as Nikki Haley vows to 'keep fighting' despite losing South Carolina primary to Trump

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is determined to stay in the race and "keep fighting" despite losing to former president Donald Trump in her home state South Carolina, as reported by The Hill.

Trump received 60.1% votes, while the former South Carolina governor secured 39.2% votes in the state's GOP primary held on February 24, 2024.

The former UN ambassador tasted her third consecutive defeat in a state against the Republican frontrunner where both candidates competed face to face, including Iowa and New Hampshire. In addition, she also lost in the Virgin Islands caucus. Though both did not come face to face in Nevada, where Trump competed in the caucus and Haley in the primary, the latter fell behind "none of these candidates".

Nikki Haley's pledge to continue in the race

Addressing supporters after the former president was projected to win early on in the race, Haley stood firm on her determination to fight Trump, citing the majority of voters needed an alternative.

"I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run for President. I'm a woman of my word," she said, adding, "I'm not giving up this fight when a majority of Americans disapprove of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden."

As her third defeat in a row in a state GOP ballot increased the pressure to suspend her campaign, Haley doubled down on her stance that neither Trump nor President Joe Biden would unite the country.

"Does anyone seriously think Joe Biden or Donald Trump will unite our country to solve our problems? One of them calls his fellow Americans fascists. The other calls his fellow Americans vermin?" she questioned. "They aren't fighting for our country's future. They're demanding we fight each other," she added.

"The younger generation — my children's generation — knows it better than anyone. They deserve better. They deserve leadership," she stated, before adding, "And so I will keep fighting—for them and for you and for all of America."

On the other hand, Trump celebrated his victory by focusing on the November general election and expressing his confidence in defeating Biden. "We're going to be up here on November 5, and we're going to look at Joe Biden, and we're gonna look him right in the eye," Trump said.

"He's destroying our country and we're gonna say 'Joe, you're fired. Get out. Get out, Joe. You're fired,'" he added.

The former president's dominant lead in the Republican presidential primary paves the way for a likely rematch with his successor in the White House.

Internet reacts to Nikki Haley's determination to continue in race

Netizens had a mixed response to Haley's decision to continue the race despite failing to make any leads against Trump. While a group deemed her move "ridiculous," another group opined she should continue in the race, citing her steady campaign donations.

One user said, "She needs to stop. It’s ridiculous.'

While another user asked, "Why would she quit? As long as the money keeps coming in she’'ll keep running, it's the donors who will decide when she's done."

"At some point, it stops being about a 'fighter' and starts being about a stupid loser," a third individual opined.

A fourth response read, "That’s a smart move by Nikki Haley to fight Trump to the end for GOP presidential hopeful. It will make Trump more visible towards the presidential election against Biden."

"She's raising more money than trump. Why should she stop," another added, referring to her campaign outraising Trump's funding.

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.