Donald Trump says he expects his last remaining Republican opponent, Nikki Haley, to drop out after today’s New Hampshire primary.
Speaking at a rally in Laconia last night, the former president said, “We started off with thirteen and now we’re down to two people, and I think one will probably be gone tomorrow.”
However, Haley’s exit is not a done deal.
New Hampshire has a large number of independent voters, who are more likely to back the former UN Ambassador than Trump. If they turn out in large enough numbers, and enough Republicans stay at home, there is the chance of an upset.
Donald Trump thinks Nikki Haley will quit after the New Hampshire primary
REUTERS
Haley has also stepped up campaigning over the last 24 hours, holding 5 events on Monday and making her final pitch to convince the Granite State to deliver her a victory.
At one event Haley accused Trump of being hung up on vendettas and preoccupied with court cases when he should be focusing on the future.
"When you go out on Tuesday, you're gonna decide: do you want more of the same, or do you want something new?”
A Haley victory tonight would give her the momentum and fundraising she needs ahead of the next contest in South Carolina, her home state.
However, her New Hampshire polling numbers will be a worry for the Haley camp.
Trump holds a double-digit lead in most public polls and supporters of Ron DeSantis, who suspended his campaign on Sunday, are twice as likely to switch to Trump than Haley.
Trump is also coming off the back of a record-setting victory in the Iowa caucuses last week, while Haley could only manage a disappointing third place.
Since that win, Trump’s message to Republican voters has been one of unity, calling for all wings of the party to rally around him so he can challenge President Biden in November's general election.
He’ll be hoping results in New Hampshire give Haley no option but to drop out and lend him her support.