(MENAFN) In a surprising turn of events on the campaign trail, Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has cast doubt on rival candidate Donald Trump's mental fitness. The controversy stems from a recent campaign speech in which Trump appeared to confuse Haley with former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Trump, like many in his party, has laid blame on Pelosi for the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, alleging that she intentionally left the building under-protected despite his offer to deploy the National Guard for enhanced security.
Addressing supporters in Keene, New Hampshire, Haley expressed her unease about the situation, stating, "The concern I have is – I’m not saying anything derogatory – but when you’re dealing with the pressures of the presidency, we can’t have someone else that we question whether they’re mentally fit to do this." She highlighted Trump's multiple mentions of her in the scenario and the subsequent confusion, emphasizing the need for clarity on the mental fitness of a potential president.
Betsy Ankney, Haley's campaign manager, echoed these concerns during a Bloomberg News event, acknowledging Trump's apparent gaffe. Referring to the former president's confusion of Haley with one of his chief Democratic adversaries, Ankney emphasized the importance of assessing mental fitness, particularly when it comes to the pressures of the presidency.
During the contested rally where the confusion occurred, Trump accused his political enemies of having "destroyed all of the information" from January 6, attributing part of the blame to Haley by suggesting she was in charge of security. He claimed to have offered her substantial support, stating, "we offered her 10,000 people, soldiers, National Guard, whatever they want. They turned it down."
As the presidential race intensifies, Haley's questioning of Trump's mental fitness adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about leadership qualities and suitability for the highest office. The incident further underscores the deep divisions within the Republican party and sets the stage for increased scrutiny of the candidates as the campaign unfolds.
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