OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
Nikki Haley’s 2024 presidential campaign suffered another major blow as she was handily defeated by Donald Trump in the Michigan Republican primary.
Haley had already lost her home state of South Carolina badly, but insisted on continuing her bid, only to lose Michigan by over 40 points according to early results.
Haley said, “What I saw today was South Carolina’s frustration with our country’s direction. I’ve seen that same frustration nationwide.”
“I don’t believe Donald Trump can beat Joe Biden,” she continued.
“I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run. I’m a woman of my word,” declared the former ambassador.
Her spokeswoman attempted to spin the outcome, claiming Trump’s vote share represented a warning for November, but Haley has shown herself to be a protest candidate against Trump with little chance of winning.
Trump has predicted, “We win Michigan, we win the whole thing.”
Critics argue that Haley’s campaign is essentially over after these successive losses, and that continuing only prolongs her humiliation while failing to alter the inevitable outcome of Trump securing the nomination.