In a recent move on his social media platform Truth Social, former President Donald Trump compared Nikki Haley, his potential rival for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, to Hillary Clinton. Trump shared an image from Haley's campaign, digitally replacing her face with Clinton's, who was his opponent in the 2016 election.

The attack comes as Trump seeks to solidify his position as the best GOP candidate to challenge incumbent President Joe Biden, following his record-setting win in the Iowa caucuses. Speculation has been growing that Haley is Trump's main contender for the nomination, surpassing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who finished a distant second in Iowa.

While Haley has been narrowing the gap in polls, particularly in New Hampshire where the primary is set for January 23, Trump's relentless attacks suggest an escalating rivalry between the two. This has resulted in Haley declining to participate in the next Republican presidential debate unless Trump also takes part.

In response to Trump's attacks, Haley stated, "We've had five great debates in this campaign. Unfortunately, Donald Trump has ducked all of them. He has nowhere left to hide. The next debate I do will either be with Donald Trump or with Joe Biden. I look forward to it."

Trump further targeted Haley by misspelling her Indian name, 'Nimrada', on Truth Social. This was the name given to her at birth, which she later changed to Nikki Haley after marrying Michael Haley. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who recently dropped out of the Iowa primary, also criticized Haley over her birth name. In response, Haley clarified on a social media platform that 'Nikki' is the name on her birth certificate.

Interestingly, Trump had previously ridiculed Clinton for not using her maiden name, 'Rodham', during the 2016 presidential election. He later nicknamed her "Hillary Rotten Clinton."

As the primary race continues, it remains to be seen how these attacks will impact the dynamics within the Republican Party and who will emerge as the frontrunner. Despite the verbal confrontations, all eyes are on the upcoming debates and the subsequent battles for the presidential nomination.