Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley declined to answer questions about whether a man can become a woman during a town hall Sunday, instead saying the government should allow such surgeries on adults.
Haley, who previously served as ambassador to the United Nations and governor of South Carolina, appeared to deflect questions about transgenderism from voters in Iowa during a town hall. Haley's campaign held the town hall via teleconference after a snowstorm forced the cancellation of a scheduled in-person event in Dubuque, Iowa.
“No one should be allowed to permanently change their body until they turn 18,” Haley told voters, according to audio of the event first obtained by the Daily Caller. “After the age of 18, we want people to be able to live the way they want to live. I don't think the government should control anyone's life. You can live the way you want to live. You should be free to live the way you want to live. And the government and others should stay out of your way. ”
“I think we always have to believe in freedom and people being able to live their lives the way they want to. And if that's their choice, the government shouldn't have a say in that.” “I think that is,” the former ambassador continued.
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Former United Nations ambassador, former South Carolina governor and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley holds up her caucus pledge card during a campaign event at Jethro's Barbecue in Ames, Iowa, on Monday. (AP Photo/Carolyn Custer)
Haley added that she strongly believes that children under the age of 18 should not be legally allowed to undergo sex surgery. She pointed out that tattoos are illegal for people under 18.
But she never stated in her answer whether she believed a man could become a woman or not.
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Haley's comments were later brought to attention by Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Nikki Haley dodges the question of whether a man can be a woman,” Never Back Down said in Monday's X-Post.
The group added that when DeSantis was asked in a radio interview last year whether a man can become a woman, he simply answered “no.”
Meanwhile, Haley's comments were released ahead of the Iowa caucuses, scheduled to be held Monday night.
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Former President Donald Trump, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are vying for the Republican presidential primary nomination. (Getty Images)
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Haley's campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
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Fox News Digital reporter Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
