Nikki Haley, President Donald Trump's former ambassador to the United Nations, accused Democratic leaders of mourning the death of Iran's Qassem Soleimani.
Haley, who served in her capacity as UN ambassador for a little less than two years before resigning at the end of 2018, offered no basis for her claims.
In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News Jan. 6, Haley praised Trump's actions to take out Soleimani with a drone strike of his vehicle near the airport outside Baghdad. While the world knows that he was "evil," Haley said, she accused top Democrats of grieving his loss.
"You don't see anyone standing up for Iran. You are not hearing any of the Gulf members, you are not hearing China, you are not hearing Russia. The only ones that are mourning the loss of Soleimani are our Democrat leadership and our Democrat presidential candidates."
Haley also tweeted her baseless statement:
The pushback against Haley's lies was immediate.
Wait a minute.... she's on the board of directors of Boeing Corporation ? Does she have experience? Expertise? She wasn't just chosen because of who she is, did she? Is this okay with the @GOP ?
— Jamie Schler (@lifesafeast) January 7, 2020
And trumpers are believing it! Because they're not smart and they want a war really badly... for some reason. Kinda scary how badly they all want a full on war. They don't care about our military just more wars.
— 🎄𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗯𝗮 👑 (@SabaSmw) January 7, 2020
pic.twitter.com/1Xeudbf3kS
— 🌎🕊️🌊 susiQ 🇺🇲🌈🗽💙🥤VOTE BLUE2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ (@usernewm) January 7, 2020
One of those calling Haley out for lying was author Stephen King.
In response to an assessment of Haley's false statements by David Rothkopf...
...King stated:
"What a stupid woman. Dem candidates aren't mourning him, but they are questioning the cost-benefit ratio, as is their right and duty as Americans standing for office."
People concurred with the Maineiac author's assessment.
There's a difference between HAVING character & BEING a character. Darling Nikki is the latest iteration of Trump's GOP devolving from having character, to being a character, to a caricature. Condolences on the death of their collective souls. History will be damning & unkind.
— Louis R. Bridgeman (@LouisRBridgema3) January 7, 2020
Whatever happened to @NikkiHaley?
You can disagree on ideology but the truth is not partisan. No one is mourning Soleimani the terrorist. Why are you misrepresenting outrage at his reckless assignation?
— Deeds (@Deeds1000) January 7, 2020
.@NikkiHaley traded her integrity away some time ago. Her truth is only relevant to the impact on her political aspirations.
— Jeff Hensley (@nickelintexas) January 7, 2020
Here's a question: What WON'T Nikki Haley say at this point?
— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) January 7, 2020
If democrats question absolutely anything Trump does then they are unpatriotic. That's their stance on everything concerning Trump. Exactly how a cult works.
— curt (@casbeataol) January 7, 2020
Nikki Haley is working hard for that Republican nomination. Her and Rubio must be thinking HaleyRubio2024
— Sally Carter ✨ (@GirlOnFireSally) January 7, 2020
She's toeing the line of repeating lies until they are believed by the base. Meanwhile, Jr. posts pictures of his “crusader" gear assault riffle. It won't be long before he is proudly parading his swastika leisure wear. This admin is straight out of Boys From Brazil.
— Janin Spoor (@JaninSpoor) January 7, 2020
Thank you Stephen for speaking to the truth. I'm proud to call you a follow Mainah. No offense to you, but I believe we are living a scarier story than even you could write. Please continue to speak to the truth.
— bob crowley (@survivor_bob) January 7, 2020
And some asked a question many others are also asking:
What now?
Haley later attempted to justify her false statements.
On Tuesday night reports surfaced that Iran made their first response to the political assassination of Soleimani which involved attacks against American forces in Iraq. Hopefully the next steps will focus on a peaceful resolution and not an escalation of hostilities.
Stephen King's latest novel, The Institute: A Novel, is available here.