Trump cruised to victory in the Palmetto State, with the race called moments after polls closed. Haley, however, has vowed to press on despite the result.
Trump Glides to Victory
COLUMBIA, S.C.–Former President Donald Trump has once again racked up a decisive victory over Republican challenger Nikki Haley. This time, he is running a victory lap around the former South Carolina governor in her home state.
The Associated Press called the South Carolina Republican presidential primary election for President Trump shortly after polls closed statewide at 7 p.m. ET.
“There’s a spirit that I’ve never seen,” President Trump said at a watch party in Columbia before a jubilant crowd shortly after the race was called.
“I have never seen the Republican party so unified as it is now.”
The crowd, which wasn’t expecting the former president to appear so soon, were ecstatic and screamed “I love you.”
One man celebrated by tossing a teddy bear wearing in a Trump shirt into the air
“This was a great moment in American history,” said South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who was with President Trump on stage. He compared the Trump campaign to a rocket launch and said, “We just hit maximum velocity!”
Read more here.
By Janice Hisle
Mood Tense But Optimistic at Haley Watch Party
CHARLESTON, S.C.—As the minutes tick down until the polls close, those at former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s watch party in downtown Charleston were optimistic–but the tension in the air was palpable.
That could have been because of all the reporters and other journalists who were crowded in the back of the hall, waiting to hear results that will further test the viability of Ms. Haley’s campaign.
“I’m feeling very confident that Nikki is going to win tonight,” attendee Robin Solomon told The Epoch Times.
Her friend, a woman named Brenda who declined to share her last name, was cautiously optimistic about the likely outcome of tonight’s contest.
“I think she’s going to win, and I think she’s going to keep winning even if she loses,” Brenda told The Epoch Times.
Both women were Charlestonians.
Exit Polls of SC Primary Hint Trump Victory
Polls across South Carolina close a 7 p.m. tonight, and as the Republican Primary wraps up, exit polls are shedding light on what could be a very pro-Trump turnout.
According to CNN and NBC exit polls, 69 percent of the voters identified as Republicans, 21 percent were Independents, four percent Democrats, and six percent were “something else.”
Within that number, 78 percent said they made their decision before January 2024, 45 percent of them said they were a part of the MAGA movement, and 65 percent said they did not think President Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 election.
Former U.N. Ambassador and former South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley, remains the only Republican challenger to former President Donald Trump.
If President Trump won the nomination, only 27 percent of South Carolina voters said they would be dissatisfied. However, 57 percent of the voters said they would be dissatisfied if the nomination went to Ms. Haley.
Ms. Haley has also argued on the campaign trail that she is the only one who can defeat President Biden in a general election. But that does not appear to be a concern for her state’s voters.
Only 13 percent said the ability to defeat President Biden was the quality that mattered most in a candidate; 37 percent cared most about having a candidate who “fights for people like me,” and 33 percent said they wanted a candidate who “shares my values.”
Immigration and the economy also emerged as the most important issue among voters, and 70 percent of voters said they trust President Trump to handle the economy more than Ms. Haley, while 73 percent said they trust President Trump more to handle border security.
And even if President Trump is convicted, 65 percent of primary voters said he would still be fit to be president.
By T.J. Muscaro
Results of CPAC Straw Poll on Trump’s VP Are In
WASHINGTON—South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy were CPAC attendees’ top choices for who they think former President Donald Trump should pick for his vice president.
In a straw poll that featured a list of 14 potential candidates, Ms. Noem and Mr. Ramaswamy tied for first at 15 percent each. Former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard came in third at 9 percent.
Other contenders on the list included Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to name a few.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley tied for last with Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) at 2 percent each.
When asked who they would be voting for in the Republican primary, 94 percent said President Trump, compared to 4 percent who chose Ms. Haley.
Attendees also gave President Trump a 96 percent approval rating, and picked Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Mr. Vance as their favorite members of the House and Senate.
