Former President Donald Trump emerged victorious in the South Carolina GOP primary, securing a resounding win over Nikki Haley, his former ambassador to the United Nations and erstwhile governor of the state from 2011 to 2017.

The announcement of Trump’s win came promptly at 7 pm on Saturday night, coinciding with the closure of polling stations across South Carolina. It was a widely anticipated outcome, given Trump’s enduring popularity among the Republican base in the state.

For Haley, this defeat marks another setback in her bid for political resurgence. Undeterred by a string of primary losses, including a recent defeat to the “none of these candidates” option on Nevada’s ballot papers, Haley remained steadfast in her determination to challenge Trump’s dominance within the Republican Party.

“I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run… I’m a woman of my word,” remarked Haley, reaffirming her commitment to the race.

Meanwhile, Trump delivered a characteristically provocative address at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. During his nearly 90-minute speech, he drew parallels between migrants and Hannibal Lecter, characterizing them as originating from “insane asylums” and framing “migrant crime” as a purportedly new and alarming category of criminal activity.

Trump’s rhetoric underscored his ongoing efforts to position himself as a leading voice within the Republican Party, leveraging contentious issues such as immigration to rally support among conservative voters.

As Trump revels in his victory in South Carolina, Haley’s pledge to persist in the Republican race sets the stage for a continued clash of ideologies and ambitions within the party’s ranks. With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, the battle for the soul of the GOP shows no signs of abating.