AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr., File; AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
- Donald Trump wants to use a S.C. rally to contrast his support with that of native Nikki Haley, per The New York Times.
- Trump's campaign aimed to rally support among GOP officials in S.C. early in the primary season.
- But Haley is competing hard in both New Hampshire and her home state's respective GOP primaries.
Before any other GOP contender had even entered the 2024 presidential field, former President Donald Trump sought to lock up critical support among governors and legislators across the country.
It was a classic power move, as Trump wanted to put potential and eventual contenders on notice that he was still the dominant force in the party.