Former President Donald Trump, riding high after a string of victories in early presidential nominating contests, will visit South Carolina on Saturday for the first time this year to deliver a clear message: The state is his to lose.
Following overwhelming wins in four early states, Trump has become increasingly confident that he will clinch the Republican nomination over former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley well before the GOP convention in July, according to multiple Trump campaign advisers. Trump’s rally in Conway, near Myrtle Beach, comes after busy days of travel, including a stop in Nevada on Thursday to declare victory and an appearance in Pennsylvania on Friday to address a National Rifle Association forum.
Thursday was a good day for Trump’s campaign. A special counsel’s report on President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents gave Trump new ammunition against his likely general election opponent. The report questioned Biden’s memory and age, even as it did not recommend charges. The Supreme Court also appeared ready to side with Trump in dismissing an attempt to keep him off Colorado’s ballot.
Haley insists she will stay in the race through the South Carolina primary on February 24 and beyond, buoyed by strong fundraising. But Trump leads by over 30 points in state polls, reflecting his front-runner status. He has over 80 endorsements from current and former South Carolina Republican officials, including Governor Henry McMaster and Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott.
Haley’s poor showings this week in Nevada and the Virgin Islands reinforce her underdog status. With no wins yet, it’s unclear which upcoming states she can win. She remains on the attack, increasingly hitting Trump’s and Biden’s age and mental fitness. After the special counsel report, she called both men “grumpy old men” and said Trump has “mental deficiencies.”
The South Carolina primary could deal a decisive blow to Haley’s campaign. Trump’s team sees the state as the place to clinch the nomination before focusing fully on Biden. Confident of a win, Trump has campaigned less intensely than in early states. But Haley has ramped up in-state events, starting a “Beast of the Southeast” bus tour on Saturday.
Though the primary is still competitive, Trump’s dominance in state and national polls suggests South Carolina could reinforce his status as Republican nominee presumptive. A resounding win could allow him to shift all his efforts toward the general election fight against Biden.