Former President Donald Trump is linking former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley to the legacy of former President George W. Bush, whose popularity among Republicans fell in the Trump era.

In the final days of 2023, Trump’s campaign began shifting its aim from Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to Haley, who has seen the most momentum in 2024 primary polling of any of Trump’s rivals. Over social media and emails, Trump and his allies have tried to paint Haley’s candidacy as a return to Bush, who championed a brand of compassionate conservatism.

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