South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley criticized Donald Trump’s “divisive rhetoric” as something that can do real-life harm to society.
Haley told reporters in South Carolina she hoped Trump would communicate differently on the campaign trail, according to the Associated Press. Haley talked about the massacre at Emanuel AME Church last year as evidence of the consequences of divisive rhetoric.
“I know what divisive rhetoric can do,” Haley said regarding why she criticizes Trump. “I saw it happen.”
But Haley, who endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for president before the Palmetto State primary, told the AP she does not consider Trump supporters to be racists.
“That’s a different kind of anger. They’re upset with Washington, D.C. They’re upset nothing’s got done,” she told the AP. “The way he communicates that, I wish were different.”
Haley has typically taken a diplomatic approach when coming under fire from Trump. After Trump said South Carolinians were embarrassed by Haley in March, the governor responded in a tweet saying, “Bless your heart.”
