The public did not approve of what she said.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was asked about the cause of the Civil War during a New Hampshire town hall, where she offered a response centered on the role of government without explicitly mentioning slavery, the primary cause of the war. This led to subsequent clarifications and controversy. Initially, Haley emphasized that the war was about how the government would function and the freedoms of individuals.
However, following public criticism, she later acknowledged in a radio interview that the Civil War was indeed about slavery, emphasizing the importance of individual freedom and economic freedom. Haley also suggested without evidence that the voter who posed the question was planted by Democrats to influence the primary and ensure a matchup between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
This series of comments drew attention and criticism, notably from Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison and President Biden, who both emphasized that the Civil War was about slavery. Haley’s campaign later referred to her Thursday morning interview, where she reiterated that while the war was about slavery, its lessons emphasize the significance of freedom and individual rights.
Reactions from New Hampshire voters varied. Some expressed dissatisfaction with Haley’s initial response, feeling she was evasive on the issue of slavery. Others perceived her attempts to clarify as damage control, while a few felt she was trying to cater to different factions, which resulted in a contentious situation.
The controversy surrounding Haley’s comments mirrors previous instances where politicians, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, faced criticism over their statements regarding historical issues like slavery. DeSantis specifically criticized Haley’s response, calling it a “word salad” and suggested she tends to struggle when facing media scrutiny.
Haley, who was governor when South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from its Capitol after the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in 2015, has spoken previously about the emotional challenge she faced during that time.
