Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations, launched a scathing series of attacks on former President Donald J. Trump on Saturday, questioning the former president’s capacity to manage the foreign affairs of a country facing multiple military entanglements abroad.
In remarks before a gathering of Jewish Republicans in Las Vegas, Ms. Haley highlighted remarks by Mr. Trump criticizing Israeli intelligence and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as weak just days after the attack.
“As president, I will not compliment Hezbollah. Nor will I criticize Israel’s prime minister in the middle of tragedy and war. We have no time for personal vendettas,” she told the crowd of nearly 1,500 donors, activists and officials. “With all due respect, I don’t get confused.”
The comments were one of the most aggressive attacks from any 2024 candidate on Mr. Trump, the dominant front-runner, since the start of the primary contest. Ms. Haley questioned whether the former president, a polarizing figure since the start of his primary campaign eight years ago, could defeat President Biden in the general election next November.
“Eight years ago, it was good to have a leader who broke things. But right now, we need a leader who also knows how to put things back together,” she said. “America needs a captain who will steady the ship, not capsize it. And Republicans need a candidate who can actually win.”
Her broadside came shortly after another candidate — former Vice President Mike Pence — announced the end of his presidential bid.
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