'Onward': Haley Congratulates Trump on 2024 South Carolina Primary Win, Signals Campaign Will Continue

To the chorus of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' raucous '80s pop hit, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley reached the podium on the 2024 Republican primary night in the state she calls home. The still-strong crowd of supporters began to chant her first name, to which Haley said with a note of affection on what must be a difficult night to remain upbeat, "Y'all are a rowdy bunch, but I love that about you."

As we reported earlier, Haley lost the primary, in the state where she served as governor, to former President Donald Trump:

Triumphant Trump Speaks After South Carolina Primary Victory, Teases Next RNC Chair

Haley began her speech by thanking her family, noting that "[she] had a chance to talk to [her] husband this morning." And it was important to her that she got to vote with her mother this morning. Haley said her mother had served as a judge in India, and that "today, she got to vote for her daughter for President of the United States."

Filled with gratitude today. Getting to vote with my mom and my kids at my side is a memory I’ll cherish forever. pic.twitter.com/97NlI2aGQ9
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 24, 2024

"I feel blessed tonight....I've felt God's strength and grace every step of the way," she said. She also congratulated Donald Trump for his victory, which elicited a smattering of boos and groans from her supporters. At the same time, she stressed that she was grateful "South Carolina voters used their voice" in a free election, whether that was voting for herself or Trump.

She said that the results of the primary season so far tell her something--that Americans feel "frustration with our country's direction."

"American will come apart if we make the wrong choices," Haley insisted, adding that she doesn't believe either President Joe Biden or Trump is what she would consider a right choice. "I don't believe Donald Trump can beat Joe Biden," she said.

"Trump drives people away, including with his comments yesterday," possibly referring to the former president's remarks at a gala in South Carolina on Friday night.

Read: Trump Calls Out Biden as 'Nasty and Vicious Racist' at Black Conservative Federation Gala

Speaking about how she fared in the primary, Haley said, "I know 40 percent isn't 50 percent, but 40 percent isn't some tiny group. People want an alternative" to former Pres. Trump.

"We can't afford four more years of Biden's failures or Trump's lack of focus," she said, adding this question: "Does anyone seriously think either Biden or Trump will unite anyone?" The crowd roared a unanimous no.

Haley reiterated a prevailing theme in her primary effort, that "[she is] running for president to save America."

Reaffirming that her campaign does not end in SC, Haley said, "I'm grateful that today is not the end of our story."

Before leaving the microphone, seconds before the swell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "American Girl" blasted from the speakers, Haley closed with, "Onward! Thank you, God bless you."

You can watch the full remarks here, via Fox News [forward video to -23:31]: