Nikki Haley Criticizes Trump for Praising Foreign Strongmen at Republican Jewish Coalition Event
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley delivered her sharpest critiques of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, condemning his praise for foreign strongmen and warning that his style of “chaos, vendettas, and drama” would be dangerous. Haley made these remarks at the annual meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, where GOP presidential candidates and their rivals addressed the influential group.
Haley, who is also a GOP presidential candidate, emphasized the need for a leader who can both break things and put them back together. Her criticism of Trump’s leadership style was met with applause by the attendees. Alongside Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence also used the event to announce the end of his presidential campaign, further solidifying Trump’s dominance in the Republican primary.
One of the key issues discussed by the Republican candidates at the event was their support for Israel’s offensive against Hamas. This unified support for Israel contrasts with their divide over whether the U.S. should support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. The candidates recognized the importance of supporting Israel, particularly among influential evangelical Christians in Iowa, which holds the first Republican caucuses.
Despite Haley’s criticism, Trump, who is considered the front-runner in the 2024 race, did not acknowledge her or Pence during his speech. Instead, he focused on touting his own record in the White House, promising to restore “peace through strength” and prevent “World War III.” His remarks received enthusiastic applause and multiple standing ovations from the crowd.
Notably, the event took place as Israel expanded its ground operation into Gaza in response to Hamas militants’ attack that killed hundreds of civilians. The ongoing conflict in the region added urgency to discussions surrounding U.S. foreign policy. Pence, in his address, called on President Joe Biden to unconditionally support Israel and urged the attendees to hold fast to faith, family, and the U.S. Constitution.
While Haley acknowledged Trump’s pro-Israel stance, she questioned his future actions, citing his controversial comments regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his praise for autocratic leaders such as China and North Korea. In contrast, Trump once again declared himself to be the best friend Israel has ever had and praised Hungary’s far-right autocratic Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Although the crowd at the event did not wear “Trump” yarmulkes as in previous years, their support for the former president was evident. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has been critical of Trump, was met with immediate boos when he took the stage. Sheldon Adelson, the event’s longtime benefactor and GOP megadonor, passed away in 2021, but his widow, Miriam Adelson, has remained a major party donor and has pledged to stay neutral in the primary.
During their speeches, most of the Republican candidates voiced strong support for Israel and criticized Biden for his policies, including a $6 billion transfer to Iran as part of a deal to release U.S. citizens detained in the country. They also accused Democratic officials and liberals of failing to sufficiently condemn antisemitism. One candidate, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, drew boos for advocating for a more restrained foreign policy.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted his support for Israel through various official actions, such as sponsoring charter flights for Americans from Israel and banning a pro-Palestinian student group from state universities. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott accused liberal politicians of failing to address the marginalization and oppression of Jewish Americans and criticized U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., for calling for a cease-fire without explicitly faulting Hamas.
Overall, the event showcased the strong support for Israel among Republican candidates and their commitment to advancing U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. As the 2024 race continues to unfold, the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual meeting provided a platform for candidates to express their views and appeal to influential Jewish Republicans.