HAMPTON, N.H. — Sen. Tim Scott dodged a question Sunday about former President Donald Trump's birther attacks on his 2024 opponent Nikki Haley.
He has been doing so as Trump struggles to oust Haley and cement a Republican victory in 2024. trafficked under false innuendo The former United Nations ambassador claimed that he was ineligible to become president because of his Indian parents' nationality, and that his real name was Nimarata, despite calling himself Nikki.
Scott (RS.C.) demurred when asked if he was satisfied with those attacks.
“I'm looking at the rhetoric on all sides of the issue,” Scott told CNN's “State of the Union” on Sunday. “Joe Biden's rhetoric is awful and despicable. Nikki Haley questions whether a 70-year-old should be allowed to run for president.”
I think the goal of becoming president has very negative and harmful elements. ”
When pressed further by host Dana Bash, Scott said, “I want all politicians to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the highest office in campaigning.”
On Friday, a South Carolina senator who endorsed Trump argued it was time for the party to unite behind the 45th president and focus its slings and arrows on President Biden.
After New Hampshire, Haley is betting heavily on a strong showing in her home state of South Carolina, so Scott's support for Trump will be key.
At a rally this weekend, Trump touted significant support from South Carolina Republicans, including Scott and Gov. Henry McMaster.
“You're not going to see much support from Congress in South Carolina,” Haley told reporters in a brief chat Saturday. I checked off some bills.
“The reason is that I forced them to put their votes on the record against their will, and it's documented,” she continued. “I forced them to pass ethics reform even though they didn’t want to do it.”
Haley appointed Scott to the Senate in 2013 when she needed to fill the vacancy left by retiring Sen. Jim DeMint. “Of course I was disappointed,” she admitted on Saturday. [Scott endorsed Trump], he has to accept it. ”
Her powerful representative in the Granite State, Gov. Chris Sununu, has been even tougher on Scott.
“Tim Scott actually said on camera, 'Donald Trump will unite the country.' Even Donald Trump doesn't believe that statement.” Sununu told Fox News Saturday.. “So no one thinks Donald Trump unified the country.”
Bash also slammed Scott for Trump calling the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol rioters “hostages” during several stump speeches.
“I think everyone facing the justice system should be served justice. The facts and evidence in each individual case are important. I'm confident that process will work,” he said. answered.
Scott, a former football player, recalled the time he prepared to defend himself “probably to the death” after the ransacking of the Capitol.
The CNN host repeatedly pressed Scott about President Trump's reference to the rioters as “hostages.” On the third try, Scott admitted he could not agree to it.
“Third time, yes,” he answered quickly. “We believe we should have confidence in putting back the blindfold on Lady Justice.”
At least 1,247 people have been charged, 907 have been convicted, and 766 have been sentenced since the Capitol riot. According to Associated Press tracker.
Scott withdrew from the 2024 contest last November.
Haley is widely seen as Trump's main opponent in trying to prevent him from winning the Republican presidential nomination for a third time.
