Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's campaign ran a “tight ship” last year, spending thousands of dollars on luxury hotels even though the campaign claimed to stay in “affordable” accommodations.
Haley's third-quarter spending report filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) shows her campaign spent more than $11,000 on luxury four- and five-star hotels.
This includes stays at luxury hotels The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, and Wave Resort in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Other hotel expenditures listed in the report include stays at the luxury Fairmont Hotel, Omni Hotel, and JW Marriott in Texas, and multiple stays at the luxury hotel Fort Des Moines in Iowa. ing.
The large hotel bill stands in contrast to the frugality touted by Haley's campaign and comments made during a recent primary debate between Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in which Haley said the election She criticized Ms. Haley for what she described as consuming millions of dollars in activities.
“He spent more on his private plane than on his commercial plane. He flew commercials. He stayed at Residence Inns. We went to save money,” Haley said. “We made sure to spend it right because you have to understand that it's not your money. It's someone else's money. And you have to know how to deal with it. ”
Haley's campaign made similar claims in several fundraising emails sent last July, including one that said “every dollar will be spent wisely.”
“We run a tough ship at Team Haley. Supporters like you are donating your hard-earned money to elect Nicki, and we're making sure we spend that money wisely.” “I am trying my best to do so,” the email said.
“Nicki is an accountant, not a lawyer. When Nikki and the team travel to New Hampshire and Iowa, they use a lot of Spirit and JetBlue flights. When they stay in hotels, they stay in luxury suites. “They're staying at a lot of Residence Inns instead.”
Another email said the campaign's road team “does not rent commercial aircraft like some campaigns do.” You often fly Spirit and JetBlue. ”
“We'll take you to New Hampshire, Iowa, or anywhere else you want to go with the most affordable options we can find. And once everyone lands, we'll drive the rest of our staff in rental cars.” You are not staying in a luxury suite. You are staying in an affordable hotel.''
“Our team is lean and mean. We track every dollar that comes in and out of the campaign, because that was the expectation we set on day one.”
Mr. Haley's FEC report included stays at lower-rated hotels such as Residence Inns and Hampton Inns in addition to luxury hotels, but these stays were not spent at hotels classified as luxury hotels. It was not included in the total amount saved.
“As an accountant, Nikki Haley understands the importance of sticking to a budget,” Haley's campaign told Fox News Digital. “That's what our campaign did, making smart decisions about staff size, TV spending, and travel. The proof is in the pudding: This is now Nicki's rise and… It’s become a two-man race with Trump dropping and DeSantis igniting $150 million and rapidly fading.”
