US Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley strongly condemned her rival, Donald Trump, on February 24, denouncing his remarks about Black Americans as "abhorrent."
Haley, who faces an expected defeat against Trump in the South Carolina nominating contest, criticized Trump's suggestion that Black voters support him due to his own legal challenges.
Expressing her dismay at Trump's unscripted remarks, Haley remarked that such instances of chaos are typical of Trump's off-the-cuff statements, labeling them as "disturbing."
Addressing reporters at a polling station in her home state, Haley emphasized her belief that Trump's divisive rhetoric poses a significant obstacle to his chances of winning a general election.
Trump's controversial comments were delivered during a speech to Black conservatives on the evening of February 23. In his address, the 77-year-old, who faces multiple criminal indictments, implied that Black individuals sympathize with him because they have also experienced discrimination and injustice.
Furthermore, Trump made reference to his widely-publicized police photo taken at a Georgia jail, suggesting that Black voters hold a special appreciation for it.
These remarks garnered widespread criticism from both Republican and Democratic circles. Democratic Party spokesperson Sarafina Chitika characterized Trump's comments as "trite and racially insensitive," while US President Joe Biden denounced them as "shameful and racist."
Earlier in the week, Trump drew further controversy by likening his legal challenges to the persecution faced by Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, whose recent demise in a Russian prison has been attributed by Biden and other Western leaders to the Kremlin.
