(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Former President Donald Trump won the South Carolina Republican primary, defeating former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who infamously served two terms as the state’s governor.
Trump’s triumph was so commanding that the Associated Press declared him the winner based on a voter survey immediately after the polls closed, cementing his position as the presumptive nominee and a powerhouse within the Republican Party ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
BREAKING: Trump Declares Victory in the South Carolina GOP primary 2024! #Trump2024 #SouthCarolinaPrimary pic.twitter.com/A1xNmMZMHv
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) February 25, 2024
“The race call was based on a comprehensive survey of South Carolina Republican primary voters that showed him defeating Nikki Haley by wide margins in her home state,” the AP reported Saturday.
South Carolina marks the latest state that has endorsed Trump as its preferred candidate, with the former president securing victories in Iowa, New Hampshire and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Despite predictions of her defeat, Haley committed on Saturday to remaining on the race until Super Tuesday, when several states hold their primaries. Nevertheless, multiple polls indicate that a majority of GOP voters favor Trump over Haley.
JUST IN: Nikki Haley will NOT drop out after losing to Donald Trump in her home state of South Carolina. pic.twitter.com/HdBVh58pb0
— The First (@TheFirstonTV) February 25, 2024
Haley’s defeat followed the damning endorsements of prominent GOP figures in South Carolina who threw their support behind Trump instead of her. Gov. Henry McMaster, Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Lindsey Graham are among the Trump backers.
President Trump had a historic win in South Carolina.
Governor Henry McMaster told @OANN President Trump’s victory is the first of many great wins to come.
“The people of South Carolina love Donald Trump. And he loves them!” pic.twitter.com/4EaoaKQ5mU
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) February 25, 2024
Earlier on the day of the election, Haley shared a video of an interview with Fox News before the polls closed. “I will tell you how I’m measuring the day: today was a day of complete gratitude; I had the opportunity to go to the voting booth with my mom,” Haley said.
However, she fell short despite her efforts and personal ties to the state. Video footage captured a cheering crowd eagerly awaiting Trump’s victory speech in South Carolina.
“Trump! Trump! Trump!” echoed the chants of the crowd.
