Indian-American Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has intensified her attacks on rival Donald Trump in a bid to energize her campaign before the US elections.Haley, who served as UN ambassador under Trump, claimed the former president was mentally unfit for office. She hit back after the 77-year-old incorrectly blamed her for failing to stop the January 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol – apparently mistaking her for then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.“Last night, Trump was at a rally rambling on about me multiple times, questioning why I didnt handle security during the Capitol riots and January 6 better. But I wasnt even in DC that day or in office then,” Haley remarked.While avoiding direct confrontation until now, Haley has taken a more aggressive approach as the election race heats up and Trump criticizes her.The 52-year-old turned the tables on Trumps habitual attacks on President Joe Bidens age and mental acuity. “Do we really want two 80-year-olds running for president, when our country is in disarray and the world in turmoil” she asked supporters in New Hampshire, the second state to vote in primaries.I have a different style and approach from Joe Biden and Donald Trump. No drama. No vendettas. No whining. Just results. pic.twitter.com/llqGBFhi4c— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 16, 2024Although dismissing Haleys chances, Trump has unleashed personal attacks on his former ambassador. In a post, he mocked her Indian heritage by misspelling her first name as “Nimrata” instead of “Nikki.” Haley was born Nimarata Randhawa to Indian parents and changed her name after marriage.“I know Trump well. This is what he does when threatened. I dont take it personally,” Haley told media. However, her campaign manager dismissed Trumps insults as “temper tantrums.”Haley also targeted Trumps ties with strongmen, saying: “He praised Xi Jinping dozens of times after China caused COVID. I was tougher than him on China and Russia.”In a TV ad, she accused Trump of writing “love letters” to North Koreas Kim Jong-un after a US student died in custody there. “Hes obsessed with dictators,” Haley added.With sharper attacks, Haley hopes to build momentum before the US elections. But only time will tell if her confrontational shift against Trump will bolster her White House bid.
