Nikki Haley confuses Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins - after her Civil War gaffe drew backlash in New Hampshire
Haley mixed up the name of Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark in Iowa on SaturdayShe accidentally referred to CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins insteadGaffe comes after Haley drew criticism for her Civil War comments
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley flubbed the name of a local college basketball star in Iowa on Saturday, in another embarrassing gaffe on the campaign trail.
Speaking at the Iowa Athletic Club in Coralville, Haley accidentally referred to Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark as ‘Kaitlan Collins’, the name of the rising-star CNN anchor.
‘We’re excited to see the Lady Hawkeyes team. What a great coach they have. Kaitlan Collins is phenomenal,’ said Haley, drawing confused looks from several members of the crowd.
The actual Kaitlan Collins responded to the mix-up with good humor on X, where she wrote: ‘I can assure you her free-throw percentage is much better than mine.’
It comes after Haley drew backlash this week in New Hampshire, where she did not mention slavery when asked by a voter what she believed caused the American Civil War.
Speaking at the Iowa Athletic Club in Coralville, Haley accidentally referred to Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark as ‘Kaitlan Collins’, the name of the rising-star CNN anchor
Caitlin Clark is the Iowa Hawkeyes superstar while Kaitlan Collins (right) is the CNN anchor
Haley, the former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina governor, walked back her Civil War comments hours later, during a radio interview in which she said, ‘Of course the Civil War was about slavery,’ something she called ‘a stain on America.’
The campaign of Ron DeSantis, another GOP hopeful, pounced on Haley’s Iowa mix-up, posting on X: ‘After making a fool of herself in New Hampshire, Nikki Haley just landed in Iowa and confused an Iowa basketball star with a CNN anchor.’
Still, the gaff didn’t stop Haley from attending the Hawkeyes women’s basketball home game against Minnesota on Saturday, where Clark racked up 35 points and 10 assists.
Haley walked into Carver-Hawkeye Arena alongside her son, Nalin, wearing an Iowa button on her jacket, the Associated Press reported.
The former South Carolina governor called Iowa coach Lisa Bluder a ‘rock star’ and made a reference to her home-state Gamecocks, the current No. 1 women’s basketball team.
‘We are used to women’s basketball in South Carolina,’ Haley said. ‘We’re excited, so glad to be here. Go Lady Hawkeyes.’
Still, the gaff didn’t stop Haley from attending the Hawkeyes women’s basketball home game against Minnesota on Saturday
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley attends a Lady Hawkeyes game
Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives down the court against in the second half against guard Amaya Battle #3 of the Minnesota Gophers on Saturday
Last March, in an NCAA tournament semifinal, Clark scored 41 points as Iowa ended the perfect season of defending champion South Carolina.
At Saturday’s game, Haley chatted with former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and David Bluder, the coach’s husband.
Even as some fans approached Haley as she took her seat, all eyes were on Clark, the reigning Associated Press national player of the year .
Clark, who has earned fame and fortune with her once-in-a-generation game , has about 20,000 more followers on Instagram than does Haley, a former UN ambassador.
Haley is hoping to build on momentum as the January 15 Iowa caucuses approach battling DeSantis for what may well amount to a second-place finish.
Former President Donald Trump continues to hold a commanding lead in the polls, frustrating some Iowa voters who want a more competitive race.