Candidate for the US election 2024: Nikki Haley challenges Trump

Donald Trump's first opponent in the candidacy for the next US election has been determined.

Candidate for the US election 2024: Nikki Haley challenges Trump

Donald Trump's first opponent in the candidacy for the next US election has been determined. Nikki Haley and the ex-president are said to have a relaxed relationship, but are now rivals. The 76-year-old is believed to be saving his firepower for someone else.

Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. It's time for a new generation of leaders, the Republican said in a video. Haley is the first candidate to run against former US President Donald Trump. Her announcement was actually expected in a speech on Wednesday. Several media had already reported on a possible candidacy two weeks ago.

The 51-year-old has to prevail against Trump, who has already announced his candidacy, in party primaries. The Republican was ambassador to the United Nations from January 2017 to the end of 2018 during Trump's tenure - and from 2011 to 2017 as the first woman governor of South Carolina. "Some people look to America and see the vulnerability, the socialist left sees an opportunity to rewrite history," Haley said in the video. China and Russia are on the rise and believe the US can be bullied and pushed around. Haley made it clear that she didn't want to put up with anything. "And when you step back, it hurts them more if you wear heels."

In the last congressional election, the Republicans performed significantly weaker than expected - a bad sign for the 76-year-old Trump. During his presidency, he brought the country chaotic years. Trump has not yet acknowledged his election defeat by US President Joe Biden. Various investigations are currently plaguing him. His closest intra-party rival is Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida. DeSantis was confirmed in office in November with a very strong result. The 44-year-old represents similarly hard conservative positions as Trump, but is considered less impulsive.

The diplomat Haley takes a different course: she tries to distance herself far enough from Trump so as not to get caught up in his downward spiral - but without falling out of favor with him. Trump himself has already indicated that Haley called him to announce her candidacy. According to CNN, the ex-president said: "You should do it." According to news website Axios, Trump's relaxed attitude toward Haley suggests he's saving his firepower for DeSantis. Haley certifies that Axios has a good standing because it could appeal to both the Trump camp and moderate conservative circles.