Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and cryptocurrency czar
Haley threatens to overtake DeSantis as Trump alternative, sending sparks flying
The recent news that South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley is beginning to take on an increasingly prominent role in the national party as a potential alternative to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sent sparks flying in the Republican ranks.
The rivalry between Haley and DeSantis has been simmering ever since the two governors were pitted against each other during the 2016 presidential election, with Haley being an early supporter of Donald Trump while DeSantis was an outspoken critic. Recently, Haley has made a concerted effort to court the president, and her efforts have not been forgotten.
Trump supporters, including DeSantis, have been critical of Haley’s politicization of her relationship with the president and have suggested that she is only supporting Trump in an attempt to raise her own profile. DeSantis himself was highly critical of Haley for joining Trump’s re-election campaign team after criticizing other Republicans during the 2016 election.
But Haley’s strategy appears to be paying off as she has risen to become one of the most powerful and influential members of the Republican Party, even rivaling DeSantis in national recognition. While DeSantis has established himself as one of the premier conservative politicians in the country, Haley has used her connections and political savvy to make herself the face of the Republican Party’s new generation of leaders.
Whether the rivalry between Haley and DeSantis becomes more intense or whether it fades away remains to be seen, but for now, the sparks are flying in the GOP.