Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations, arrives to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, at National Harbor on March 3, 2023 in Oxon Hill, MD. Photo Credit: AP
Republican White House contender Nikki Haley on Friday stepped up attacks on Donald Trump over his age – without naming the former president – on a national platform calling on conservatives to trust a “new generation” of leaders.
The former South Carolina governor sharply criticized the Republican defeat in recent elections, during which Mr Trump, 76, tried to serve as kingmaker.
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“If you are tired of losing, put your trust in a new generation,” Ms Haley urged attendees at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held just outside Washington.
Ms Haley, 51, who was tapped by Mr Trump in 2017 to serve as ambassador to the United Nations, is the first candidate of note to challenge the billionaire for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
She has so far focused her attacks on her opponent’s age, calling again on Friday for a “qualification test” for politicians over the age of 75.
Mr Trump and Ms Haley are delivering dueling speeches at the convention, with the former president taking the stage later on Saturday afternoon.
More than two years after leaving the White House, Mr Trump’s grip on the party is still palpable, with the iconic closing speech once again reserved for him.
Several members of his family have already delivered speeches at the convention singing his praises.
Mr. Trump’s keynote is likely to resume the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) agenda that swept him to power in 2016 on border security, gun rights, “woke up” attitudes and other red meat conservative issues. Brought it