'What a joke': Nikki Haley slammed for suggesting New Hampshire voters will 'correct' Iowa caucus results

MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Former South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley found herself thrust into an unusual spotlight after telling New Hampshire voters that have the opportunity to "correct" the results of the Iowa caucuses set for later this month.

Joined by Gov Chris Sununu, the 51-year-old GOP frontrunner was addressing a crowd at a town hall event in Milford, when she said, “We have an opportunity to get this right, and I know we’ll get it right. I trust you.”

“You know Iowa starts it. You know that you correct it … you know that my sweet state of South Carolina brings it home,” the former UN ambassador said on Wednesday, January 03, according to the Hill. 

Haley appears to be pulling best in polls in New Hampshire, where she has gained the support of well-liked Republican governor Sununu.

The battle between Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis

Her remarks came less than two weeks from the January 15 Iowa caucuses and just days before she debated with fellow Republican contender Florida Gov Ron DeSantis in Iowa on January 10.

Based on The Hill/Decision Desk HQ polling average, DeSantis and Haley are presently tied for the state's top spot with averages of 18.1% and 17.1%, respectively.

Both candidates, though, are unlikely to overtake outgoing former President Trump, who is now polling at an average of 51.6 percent in Iowa.

DeSantis and Haley are scheduled for separate CNN town halls in Des Moines, Iowa, that will be aired back-to-back Thursday.

Before the debate, DeSantis addressed Haley’s new remarks on Iowa radio station KFAB, accusing her of being "disrespectful to Iowans."

"I think she's trying to provide an excuse for her not doing well," DeSantis continued. His campaign also responded to the remarks on Twitter, saying "Nikki Haley belittles Iowa Caucusgoers -- claiming their decisions will need to be corrected by New Hampshire voters."

Iowa Gov Kim Reynolds, who has endorsed DeSantis, also fired back at Haley’s comments. "I trust Iowans to make their own decisions. No 'corrections' needed!" Reynolds posted to X.

Evangelical leader Bob Vanderplaats, who has also backed DeSantis, posted to X that Haley's remarks "are very telling regarding her status in Iowa" and that it is an "admission of getting beat" there.

Internet reacts to Nikki Haley’s remarks

Haley’s remarks have garnered immense social media attention, with users slamming her for claiming that NH voters have the opportunity to "correct" the results of the Iowa caucuses.

“She needs to drop out...” one user blasted. “I don't know a single soul who says they would vote for Haley. Where are these polls being conducted?” a second user trolled.

“The United stays needs to “correct” the ballot by removing Nikki and placing her on the democrats poll,” a third user attacked while a fourth one wrote, “I have an idea for a new drinking game: grab a beer every time Nikki says something silly like this.”

“What an awful candidate and it is wrong that they use Democrat donors and pretend to be Republican. I grew up in SC and can assure you one thing. She would not get my vote no matter what. She is reckless,” a fifth user mocked.

“Lmao what a joke. She has no respect from me at all! If she comes to NH I hope she gets ignored 👎🏻” one more said.

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.