The political network financed largely by billionaire Charles Koch, known as Americans for Prosperity (AFP), has announced it will cease funding for Nikki Haley’s presidential bid following her defeat to former President Donald Trump in her home state of South Carolina.
In a significant development, the Koch network has decided to withdraw its financial support for Nikki Haley’s presidential bid. This decision comes in the wake of Haley’s defeat to former President Donald Trump in South Carolina, her home state.
Haley, who once served as the governor of South Carolina, was hoping for a strong showing in her home state. However, Trump swept to victory, beating Haley by about 20 percentage points and capturing all but three delegates. This defeat seems to have been a turning point for AFP’s support of Haley.
Emily Seidel, a senior adviser at AFP, stated: “She has made it clear that she will continue to fight and we wholeheartedly support her in this effort. But given the challenges in the primary states ahead, we don’t believe any outside group can make a material difference to widen her path to victory.”
Despite this setback, Haley has vowed to continue her fight against Trump. Her campaign has even touted new fundraising numbers, with more than $1 million coming in from grassroots conservatives in just the last 24 hours.
AFP had previously provided crucial support to Haley, mobilizing its vast network of grassroots political activists and pouring money into advertising. AFP Action, a super PAC, spent more than $31 million boosting Haley in the race, according to Federal Election Commission data.
The decision to withdraw support from Haley’s campaign was first reported by Politico. A representative for AFP did not respond to a request for comment. The move is seen as a blow to Haley’s campaign as she continues to compete against Trump.
In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump commented on the Koch network’s decision, saying they had been “played for suckers right from the beginning.” This comment adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding political drama.
Despite the challenges, Haley’s campaign remains resolute. “Our fight continues, and with more than $1 million coming in from grassroots conservatives in just the last 24 hours, we have plenty of fuel to keep going,” Haley’s team said in a statement. They added, “We have a country to save.”
The Koch network’s decision marks a disappointing end to AFP’s strategy of backing a Trump alternative. However, Seidel wrote that AFP knew from the start that the path “faced the longest odds” but that given the stakes, it “couldn’t sit on the sidelines.”
As reported by CBS News on Twitter, “Americans for Prosperity Action, a libertarian conservative political policy network founded by the billionaire Koch brothers, announced that it will no longer spend on Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign.” This tweet confirms the Koch network’s decision and its impact on Haley’s campaign.
Americans for Prosperity Action, a libertarian conservative political policy network founded by the billionaire Koch brothers, announced that it will no longer spend on Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign. https://t.co/1Hy4gbi6Y0
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 26, 2024
In the latest updates, Haley remains defiant after her loss, stating that the number of voters who have supported her shows an appetite for a Trump alternative. During his victory speech, Trump told supporters he was confident he could beat Biden in November, “We’re going to say ‘Joe, you’re fired.’”.
This development underscores the volatile nature of the current political landscape and the high stakes involved in the presidential race. As the race continues, all eyes will be on Haley to see how she navigates these challenges and continues her fight for the presidency.