Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley surprised audiences when she made a guest appearance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” this past weekend. Haley, who is currently campaigning for the South Carolina Republican primary, starred as herself in the show’s cold open. The segment featured a mock CNN town hall in the state, with cast member James Austin Johnson playing former president Donald Trump.
During her appearance, Haley took shots at both Trump and President Biden, calling into question their fitness to lead. Standing in the audience, she directly addressed Trump, saying, “Are you doing okay, Donald? You might need a mental competency test.” This remark was met with laughter and applause from the audience. Haley didn’t hold back when it came to Biden either, stating, “That’s what voters will say if they see you and Joe on the ballot,” in response to Trump’s speech that ended with the words “I see dead people.”
Haley’s appearance on “Saturday Night Live” comes after weeks of increased attacks against Trump. Despite trailing behind him in polls, she has been questioning his ability to lead with growing directness. However, Haley wasn’t spared from the roast herself. Host and actor Ayo Edebiri took a jab at her during the show, asking, “I was just curious, what would you say was the main cause of the Civil War? Do you think it starts with an ‘s’ and ends with a ‘-lavery’?” This was a direct reference to Haley’s failure to mention slavery as the cause of the Civil War during a town hall event in New Hampshire back in December. After facing backlash, she later acknowledged that the war was indeed about slavery.
Haley’s goal in South Carolina is to improve upon her performance in New Hampshire, where she lost to Trump by 11 points. However, she faces an uphill battle in her home state. According to a recent Washington Post-Monmouth University poll, Trump has the support of 58 percent of potential Republican primary voters in South Carolina, while Haley trails behind at 32 percent. Nevertheless, Haley remains determined to gain ground and secure the Republican nomination.
In her surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Nikki Haley showcased her wit and took aim at both Donald Trump and President Biden. With her directness and sharp remarks, she made it clear that she is not afraid to challenge those in power. As the South Carolina primary draws nearer, all eyes will be on Haley to see if she can overcome the odds and rally support in her home state.
