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Nikki Haley courts donors in Palm Beach day ahead of Donald Trump's campaign reception

Former president's supporters gather outside airport
Posted at 11:01 PM, Jan 31, 2024
and last updated 2024-02-01 08:22:52-05

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former President Donald Trump and Republican opponent Nikki Haley touched down Wednesday afternoon at Palm Beach International Airport.

Haley came to Palm Beach to fundraise for her campaign at an undisclosed location. Trump's Mar-a-Lago is on the island, where the former president is planning to host donors Thursday at the home of billionaire investor John Paulson.

Outside the airport were some Trump supporters with signs and flags.
 
"Are you in support of Haley in any way?" WPTV reporter Joel Lopez asked.

"Not at all. We believe she's part of the old Republican class," Trump supporter Justin Navarro said.

Air Force One sits right next to Donald Trump's private plane at Palm Beach International Airport on Jan. 30, 2024.jpg

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Air Force One, Donald Trump's plane side-by-side on tarmac at PBIA

Matt Papaycik
1:40 PM, Jan 30, 2024

"What is the message from you guys for when Nikki Haley drives by?" Lopez asked.
 
"We just want to let her know that Florida is Trump country," Navarro said.

According to the Federal Election Commission, between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2023, Haley raised $18,614,196 compared with $57,494,095 raised by Trump.

Trump's motorcade drove by the group but they did not see Haley.

Haley has vowed to stay in the race. She raised $4 million after the New Hampshire primaries just hours after Trump threatened to blacklist her backers.

"Trump has a demonstrated track record and they want to get him out so bad. Look at everything they're throwing at him and he still keeps coming back," Trump supporter Alan Mentser said. "Nikki is a nice person. She was a good governor, a good ambassador, but I believe Trump is the only person that can get the deep swamp cleaned out the rest of the way."

Trump supporter Alan Mentser appeared outside Palm Beach International Airport, Jan. 31, 2024
Alan Mentser, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, appeared outside Palm Beach International Airport on the same day that Nikki Haley was attending a campaign fundraiser in Palm Beach.

A recent Quinnipiac poll found Haley would win in a matchup against President Joe Biden 47% to 42%.

The same poll found Trump would lose 44% to 50% to Biden.

"We've got to take back our country. We're in real trouble," Mentser said.

"Do you see Biden as a threat at all?" Lopez asked.

"Yes," Mentser said.

Trump did beat out Nikki Haley in the Iowa and New Hampshire Republican primaries.