Nikki Haley ramps up criticism on Donald Trump days away from Iowa caucuses

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Monday night ratcheted up her criticism of former President Donald Trump as she attempts to close the gap between them in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, the first two nominating contests of the 2024 election.

"I think that Trump has copped out because he used to get it right and now he's turning around and he's getting it wrong wanting to be an isolationist," Haley said at the town hall in Des Moines Monday night, defending her stance on support for Ukraine's military. She was responding to a question at a Fox News town hall from moderator Martha MacCallum that noted that her opponents — Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy — are "on the other side" of the issue and more concerned about security at home. 

Haley, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, has sought to walk the fine line between criticizing the former president and courting his voters, a stance that has led to criticism from her opponents, as well as Republican voters in states holding early nominating contests.