DeSantis and Haley Face Heated Exchange in Debate

The Republican presidential candidates verbally sparred in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, attempting to stand out one last time before voters take the polls. During the debate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) engaged in heated exchanges as she surges in the polls.

Ambassador Haley has gained significant support in recent weeks, and for the “never Trumpers,” she’s viewed as a viable alternative to President Donald Trump (R).

This week, Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and a top donor for the Democrat party, announced that he would be donating $250,000 to the SFA Fund, which is a pro-Haley super PAC. The reason for the donation is because Hoffman views Ambassador Haley as one of two opportunities to defeat President Trump.

Though Hoffman announced on LinkedIn that he would “enthusiastically vote” for President Joe Biden (D), Hoffman shared that “his first priority is American democracy and the integrity of our legal system.”

On the debate stage, Ambassador Haley found herself receiving criticism from Governor DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy, but New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) came to her defense against Ramaswamy, calling him an "obnoxious blowhard."

Ahead of the debate, Governor DeSantis cited the donation from Hoffman in calling Ambassador Haley a “liberal,” but Hoffman isn’t the only Democrat expressing that Republicans should back Ambassador Haley. Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, called for Democrats to back Ambassador Haley, calling her the only Republican aside from Trump who has a chance at winning the nomination.

In a statement, Hoffman commented that “those of us who believe in America must link arms to block Donald Trump from regaining the White House.”

During an exchange between Governor DeSantis and Ambassador Haley, Governor DeSantis pressed Haley over her response to opposing views. “She caves anytime the left comes after her, anytime the media comes after,” DeSantis said.

“He continues to lie about my record,” Ambassador Haley countered.