Rival unexpectedly congratulates Mr. Trump after primary election defeat

According to the results projected by the US media, former President Donald Trump won against former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the primary election in South Carolina on February 24.

Đối thủ bất ngờ chúc mừng ông Trump sau thất bại bầu cử sơ bộ- Ảnh 1. — Nikki Haley speaks in Charleston after her defeat on February 24.

In a speech at the end of the day, Ms. Haley unexpectedly congratulated her opponent and thanked voters in South Carolina but emphasized that she would continue the race despite the defeat in her home state, according to CNN.

“Regardless of the outcome, I love the people of our state. I love what we have accomplished together and how we have united in the midst of the worst challenges and tragedies,” Haley said.

The politician insisted she would not give up because she did not think Mr. Trump could defeat President Joe Biden in the November election. Moreover, the former South Carolina governor said she had an obligation to give voters in states that have not yet held primaries a "real choice."

"I said this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I will continue to run. I am a woman of my word. I will not give up this fight when the majority of Americans do not support Donald Trump or Joe Biden," Haley said.

The former US ambassador to the United Nations said she would stay in the race at least until Super Tuesday (March 5), when Republicans in 15 states and one territory go to the polls. "We need to defeat Joe Biden in November. I don't believe Donald Trump can beat Joe Biden," Haley told supporters in Charleston.

According to Edison Research, Mr. Trump has 60% of the vote in South Carolina compared to Ms. Haley's 39.4% after 83% of the votes were counted. Pre-election polls showed Mr. Trump leading by an average of 27.6%, according to the website 538 .

"Forty percent is not a small number. There were a large number of voters in the Republican primaries who said they wanted a replacement," Haley said. In his earlier speech, Trump said he had won by a larger margin than expected and that the Republican Party was more united than ever, without mentioning Haley.

CNN quoted an unnamed Trump adviser as saying that the former president's team could shift to a formal election with a Democratic opponent after the results on February 24. Trump remains unhappy about Haley continuing in the race, but allies are urging him to turn his sights on Biden and act as if he has officially become the Republican nominee.

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