Nikki Haley Criticizes Trump Campaign for ‘Pretty Pathetic’ Birdcage Stunt
Photo Credit: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
Nikki Haley revealed that Donald Trump’s campaign sent a birdcage to her hotel room with a message reading “From Trump Campaign.” Haley shared a picture of the birdcage on Twitter, writing, “After a day of campaigning, this is the message waiting for me outside my hotel room… #PrettyPatheticTryAgain #YouJustMadeMyCaseForMe.”
The birdcage references Trump’s recent Truth Social posts where he referred to his former U.N. ambassador as a “birdbrain.” In one of his posts, Trump criticized Haley for her past support of him, suggesting that her endorsements were insincere. He wrote, “She even came to Mar-a-Lago with her family, ‘bearing gifts.’ Anyway, Birdbrain doesn’t have the TALENT or TEMPERAMENT to do the job.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Haley responded with another tweet, “Love this. It means we are in 2nd and moving up fast.” Marc Caputo from The Messenger confirmed that the birdcage message came from Trump’s campaign, sharing, “At 1:30 am, the Trump camp texted me the birdcage-and-feed photo in front of Haley’s Des Moines hotel door.” He later added, “Some folks are feeling conspiratorial today.”
Trump also issued his own “report card” on Truth Social, critiquing the recent Republican debate participants. He stated, “Watched Debate = REPORT CARD: Doug Burgum did a very good job, solid & smart! Sloppy Chris Christie was a DISASTER, A TRUMP DERANGED LUNATIC! Nikki ‘Birdbrain’ Haley was exposed for her caustic DISLOYALTY & LIES about the Republican Party, and me.
Doesn’t have what it takes, NEVER DID!” He continued his insults last Friday, saying, “MAGA, or I, will never go for Birdbrain Nikki Haley. No loyalty, plenty of lies! ‘I will never run against our great President,’ she said, ‘he has done an outstanding job.'”
Despite Trump’s attacks, an exclusive survey shows that while he still leads in the crucial New Hampshire primary, Nikki Haley is rapidly emerging as a significant rival. According to a study conducted by USA Today, the Boston Globe, and Suffolk University among likely voters in the first Republican primary, Trump holds 49% support compared to Haley’s 19%.
Although the 30-point gap is substantial, Haley is now ahead of former frontrunner and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Haley’s performance in the two Republican debates has boosted her campaign. Before the first debate in August, she had never polled above 6% in any of the eleven public polls conducted in New Hampshire over the previous six months. The recent USA TODAY poll marks a new peak for her.
Haley’s recent surge and her ongoing rivalry with Trump highlight the dynamic and competitive nature of the Republican primary race. As non-Trump candidates like Haley continue to gain traction, the landscape of the GOP primary could see significant shifts leading up to the election.
