Washington: US presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Friday targeted ex-president Donald Trump without naming him directly, over his age urging the conservatives to have trust in a ‘new generation’ of leaders.
"If you're tired of losing, put your trust in a new generation," she called on the attendees at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held outside Washington.
The former South Carolina governor has so far centered her attacks on 76-year-old Trump, calling again for a ‘competency test’ for politicians older than 75.
Haley, 51, who Trump tapped in 2017 to serve as United Nations ambassador, is the first candidate of note to challenge the billionaire for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Trump is scheduled to take the stage Saturday later in the afternoon.
Even after two years of leaving the White House, Trump's hold on the party is strong. While the prestigious closing speech has been reserved for him, his family members have already been given speeches at the conference singing his praise.
Trump's keynote is likely to reprise the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) agenda that swept him to power in 2016, taking on border security, gun rights, "woke" attitudes and other red meat conservative issues.
With inputs from agencies