Updated 05.37 | Published 01.04
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Trump was declared the winner immediately.
But challenger Nikki Haley refuses to drop out despite losing on her home turf.
– The voters have the right to a real position, not a Soviet election with only one candidate, she said.
Just a few minutes after the polls closed in South Carolina, Donald Trump was declared the winner by several American media companies.
Nikki Haley, the only remaining challenger in the Republican primary, had hopes of success in her home state, but predictions of a Trump win were immediate and clear.
– This was a little earlier than expected and even a bigger win than we had expected, Trump said in his victory speech and immediately started talking about strengthened border control.
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full screenTrump did not mention Haley by name. Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP
He did not mention former UN ambassador Nikki Haley by name, saying he had “never seen Republicans as united as they are now”.
During the night, the initial forecasts were confirmed by the actual election results. With 92 percent of the vote counted, Trump had 59.9 percent and Haley 39.4 percent.
The loss increases pressure on Nikki Haley to drop out, but she announced in a speech overnight that she is continuing her campaign. She was referring to voters in the more than 20 states and territories holding primaries over the next ten days.
– They have the right to a real position. Not a Soviet election with only one candidate, she said.
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full screen Haley during a campaign rally last week. Now she is aiming for “Super Tuesday” on March 5, when 17 states and territories hold primaries. Photo: Jerker Ivarsson