Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley brought attention to Donald Trump’s mental fitness on Saturday after the former president erroneously accused her of failing to prevent the violent assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
During a campaign event in New Hampshire, Trump seemed to confuse Haley with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In reference to the January 6 insurrection, Trump claimed, “Nikki Haley is in charge of security. We offered her 10,000 people—soldiers, National Guard, whatever they want—they turned it down. They don’t want to talk about that.”
Haley, Trump’s primary opponent in the New Hampshire race, clarified that she was not in charge of Capitol security and was not even in office at the time of the incident. She expressed concern about Trump’s mental fitness, stating, “The concern I have is, I’m not saying anything derogatory, but when you’re dealing with the pressures of a presidency, we can’t have someone else that we question whether they’re mentally fit to do this.”
While Trump and other Republicans have targeted President Joe Biden’s age and mental acuity, Haley’s remarks represent a direct challenge from within the Republican ranks to Trump’s own mental fitness. Haley, who turned 52 on Saturday, has advocated for a mental competency test for political candidates over 75. In a Fox News interview, she emphasized the importance of having leaders at their best in terms of mental sharpness, particularly when dealing with national security challenges.
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Trump’s assertion that Pelosi or Haley rejected assistance during the Capitol siege also raised questions, as the House committee investigating January 6 found no evidence to support such a claim.
Critics argue that Trump has displayed signs of aging, and the former president addressed the issue earlier in the week by recounting an instance where he claimed to have aced a cognitive test. Despite concerns raised about Trump’s mental state, he continues to maintain significant support among Republicans, with more voters expressing worries about Biden’s age and fitness in various polls. Trump’s strong performance in the Iowa presidential caucuses underscores his continued popularity within the Republican party.
