Donald Trump edges closer to a potential rematch with President Joe Biden in November as his last Republican contender, Nikki Haley, reportedly prepares to withdraw following a significant defeat in the “Super Tuesday” primaries.
Haley, 52, the former US ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, is poised to suspend her campaign, as reported by the Wall Street Journal and CNN. She is scheduled to address the public in Charleston, South Carolina, at 10:00 am (1500 GMT).
Former President Trump secured victories in 14 out of 15 states during the pivotal day of the 2024 race, with Haley conceding only in Vermont. Trump, eyeing a return to the Oval Office, emphasized the significance of the day, addressing supporters at his Mar-a-Lago beach club in Florida.
“This is a big one,” Trump remarked. “They tell me, the pundits and otherwise, that there has never been one like this, never been anything so conclusive.”
Despite Biden’s sweeping wins in the Democratic “Super Tuesday” primaries, the 81-year-old president, effectively uncontested, will now focus on his crucial State of the Union speech on Thursday.
Trump’s dominance in this year’s Super Tuesday was anticipated, as both he and Biden had virtually secured their parties’ nominations prior to the ballots being cast. Haley, the former South Carolina governor, failed to pose significant hurdles in Trump’s path to nomination since her distant third-place finish in Iowa in January.
While Trump faces numerous legal challenges and controversies, including two impeachments and ongoing legal battles, his strong appeal among various voter demographics has propelled him forward in the primaries.
Haley, who appeals more to affluent, suburban voters and university graduates, was expected to secure only a handful of delegates necessary for nomination.
As Trump continues to gather momentum, his victories include Maine, where efforts to bar him from the ballot were rejected by the Supreme Court on Monday.
While Trump cannot mathematically secure the nomination on Super Tuesday, his campaign anticipates his anointment by March 19 at the latest.
Meanwhile, Biden, facing minimal competition in the Democratic primaries, cruised to victory across most states, aside from a loss in American Samoa. He emphasized concerns about Trump’s intentions, accusing him of seeking to undermine US democracy.
Biden’s leadership, however, faces scrutiny, particularly regarding his support for Israel’s offensive on Gaza, evident in some protest votes in Minnesota and other states.
With polls showing a tight race between Biden and Trump, voters express concerns about both candidates’ ages and integrity, highlighting the challenges ahead for the November election.
