Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley teared up in an emotional moment as she spoke about her husband’s yearlong deployment during a State of the Race speech Tuesday afternoon.
Haley’s rare sign of emotion comes after former President Donald Trump has needled the former South Carolina governor on her marriage on multiple occasions. Haley was describing her husband’s deployment at an event in Greenville held four days before the Palmetto State’s crucial primary when she abruptly choked up.
“And that same vision called my husband to serve in the uniform of the United States. He’s a major in the South Carolina Army National Guard. As I prepare for what lies ahead, Michael is at the forefront of my mind,” Haley said before she paused, and the crowd cheered her on.
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Haley’s husband, Maj. Michael Haley, deployed with the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to the Horn of Africa in June 2023. This is his second deployment.
“I wish Michael was here today. And I wish our children and I could see him tonight. But we can’t,” Haley said as she cried. “He’s serving on the other side of the world where conflict is the norm, where terrorists hide among the innocent, where Iran’s terrorist proxies are now attacking American troops.”
Trump mocked Maj. Haley’s deployment earlier this month at a campaign rally in Conway, South Carolina, where he is hoping for a dominant showing on Saturday. “What happened to her husband? Where is he? He’s gone,” Trump taunted.
Haley has repeatedly slammed Trump over the comments and alleged indifference to the concerns of military families, which she discussed during her Tuesday speech in Greenville, South Carolina.
“It was hard for us to say goodbye to him the first time when he deployed to Afghanistan. It was even harder last summer when he deployed to Africa,” Haley continued. “The kids and I know why Michael went. He stepped up to keep us safe and not just us. He stepped up to defend our nation’s freedom and our way of life.”
Trump is on track to win the South Carolina primary, but Haley remains defiant she will continue in her quest to be the GOP presidential nominee.
The former U.N. ambassador repeatedly stressed her refusal to exit the race and bow to political pressure, pointing to voter wariness about Trump and President Joe Biden’s ages, according to multiple polls.
“In politics, the herd mentality is enormously strong. A lot of Republican politicians have surrendered to it,” Haley said of the several GOP candidates who dropped out of the race.
“Of course, many of the same politicians who now publicly embrace Trump privately dread him. They know what a disaster he’s been and will continue to be for our party,” Haley continued. “They’re just too afraid to say it out loud. Well, I’m not afraid to say the hard truth out loud. I feel no need to kiss the ring.”
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Haley claimed she does not “fear Trump’s retribution” as she continues her long-shot campaign against the former president.
“Dropping out would be the easy route. I’ve never taken the easy route. I’ve been the underdog in every race I’ve ever run,” Haley said before citing biblical scripture. “I’ve always been David taking on Goliath. And like David, I’m not just fighting someone bigger than me. I’m fighting for something bigger than myself.”
