A fortnight ago, Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Donald Trump, was the first to jump into Trump’s pool for the presidency
This week, Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, is making waves in the pool. Several others, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire and former Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, and another South Carolinian of color, Sen. Tim Scott, are dipping their toes in the water.
Someone had to go first, and Haley is it.
Haley
The others know that Trump wants to tear them to pieces — he has already given DeSantis an ugly nickname, “Ron DeSanctimonius” — and they did not want to be first in the firing line.
Haley may be crazy brave. She is already taking incoming from the Make America Great Again (MAGA) crowd for shying away from highlighting her courageous stand as governor on taking the Confederate flag down from the state capitol.
But Haley has done something very important as the 2024 race for the Republican presidential nomination gets underway: She has opened the door to take Trump down.
Haley’s announcements — first on Twitter with her launch video, and then at the rally itself — were loaded with unmistakable criticisms of Trump and his viability to lead the Republican Party back into the White House.
“We’re ready, ready to move past the stale ideas and faded names of the past. And we are more than ready for a new generation to lead us into the future.”
“We won’t win the fight for the 21st century if we keep trusting politicians from the 20th century.”
And this:
“Mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.”
And then the Trump-killing argument that Trump is a loser:
“Republicans have lost the popular vote in seven out of the last eight presidential elections. That has to change.”
“I have a particular message for my fellow Republicans … Our cause is right, but we have failed to win the confidence of a majority of Americans. Well, that ends today … If you’re tired of losing, put your trust in a new generation. And if you want to win — not just as a party, but as a country — stand with me.”
Yes, Haley is also targeting Joe Biden on the age issue and the baggage of politicians from the 20th century.
But these are direct hits on Trump.
Trump
DeSantis is staking out his vision – of himself as the true grandmaster of culture war politics. What he has done in Florida he wants to nationalize in the 2024 presidential campaign: DeSantis pushes the anti-woke buttons on immigration, on abortion, on gay and transgender people, on parental control of schools, of radical left racial books that are in libraries. He punishes bureaucrats who stand in the way of his agenda, and uses state power to wreak economic harm on companies, like Disney, who speak out against the DeSantis program.
DeSantis
DeSantis has shown moxie and cunning in these first steps of his long march to the White House. First, to gather 100 heavy Republican players and funders in a strategy meeting just 5 miles from Trump’s lair at Mar-a-Lago. Then, to launch his new book on the DeSantis story and vison – an instant best-seller. Then to be featured at a gathering of the Club for Growth, conservative corporates and investors who believe in limited government and economic opportunity – and they have refused to support Trump. Haley, Scott and Sununu will also address the Club.
While they meet, Trump will be just outside Washington, addressing CPAC, the largest group of conservative activists in the country. For the past seven years, Trump has been their king and has given the clarion call to his movement.
As of today, in the latest Fox News poll, Trump leads DeSantis 43%-27%.
What will be closely watched is how much DeSantis and the others attack Trump, and how much Trump directly attacks those who are circling.
What must be understood is this:
Those seeking the Republican presidential nomination have to take it from Trump.
He is not going to cede it or walk away from it. The only way to beat Trump is for another Republican to take him down — to defeat him in the upcoming Republican primaries next year. And the Republican who does take him down will be using Nikki Haley’s arguments that Trump should not, must not, be the Republican presidential candidate in 2024.
There is no way around it. Nikki Haley has opened the door for the war of the Republicans.
Bruce Wolpe is a Ticker News US political contributor. He’s a Senior Fellow at the US Studies Centre and has worked with Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM's chief of staff.
Optalert launches free iPhone test for detecting sleep issues, utilising AI to screen for obstructive sleep apnea with high accuracy.
In Short
Australian company Optalert has launched a free iPhone app, Owl Eye, that detects sleep issues by analysing users’ blink patterns and screening for obstructive sleep apnea with 96.6% accuracy. The app is currently available in Australia and New Zealand, with plans for wider release.
Australian company Optalert has introduced a free iPhone test for detecting sleep issues.
The app differs from traditional sleep trackers by assessing users while awake, requiring only ten minutes to complete.
It focuses primarily on screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is backed by data from leading Australian sleep laboratories.
An AI-based algorithm, developed from this data, classifies individuals with a remarkable 96.6% accuracy regarding OSA.
Optalert is currently pursuing regulatory certification to operate as a medical device across various regions, including the US, Europe, and China.
The app functions by analysing users’ blink patterns during a concentration task facilitated by the iPhone’s camera, disregarding video content to ensure privacy.
This technology helps identify impairment due to insufficient oxygen during sleep.
Those receiving a positive result can seek further diagnosis and treatment for their sleep issues.
The app, named Owl Eye, is currently available on the Apple App Store in Australia and New Zealand, with plans to expand its reach shortly.
Paul Zubrinich, Chief Marketing Officer of Optalert provides his involvement with the app and shares insights on the technology behind Owl Eye.
In the broader context of sleep technology, the trend indicates increasing accessibility to personal health data previously confined to clinical settings, promising advancements in sleep health.
Elon Musk defends DOGE cuts with Trump, claims Americans will receive what they voted for in Oval Office appearance.
In Short
Elon Musk supported the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during a meeting with President Trump, who signed an order to cut the federal workforce. Musk addressed concerns about DOGE’s transparency and potential conflicts of interest, asserting the agency acts transparently, despite calls for more information.
Elon Musk appeared with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on February 11, 2025, to support the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk defended DOGE’s proposed cuts, claiming they were reasonable and aimed at improving government efficiency.
Trump signed an executive order to enforce significant reductions in the federal workforce, allowing DOGE to oversee the hiring processes for agencies.
The order mandates a hiring ratio of one new employee for every four who depart, with exemptions for positions related to public safety and law enforcement.
Musk emphasized that Americans would receive what they voted for regarding DOGE’s changes, questioning the implications of bureaucratic control over democracy.
Trump expressed frustration with federal judges attempting to block DOGE’s initiatives.
Musk had previously suggested that a judge should be impeached after a ruling limited DOGE’s access to Treasury files.
Musk faced inquiries about DOGE’s transparency and potential conflicts of interest with his companies receiving federal contracts.
He asserted that DOGE operates transparently and shares updates on its official X account and government site.
However, as of the latest check, DOGE.gov had not provided new information.
A DOGE spokesperson stated that the agency is under the Presidential Records Act, potentially keeping their activities confidential for years.
Trump and Putin agree to talks aimed at ending Ukraine war, signalling potential improvement in US-Russia relations.
In Short
Trump and Putin agreed to start talks to end the Ukraine war, following a phone call that raised hopes for improved relations. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Hegseth indicated a shift in U.S. policy on Ukraine’s territorial claims and its NATO membership.
The two leaders communicated by phone on Wednesday. Trump expressed optimism about the potential results of this engagement, describing it as a necessary step towards peace.
This phone call followed a recent prisoner exchange, which Trump suggested might signal improving U.S.-Russia relations.
In his remarks on Truth Social, Trump highlighted the urgent need to address the ongoing deaths resulting from the conflict. He noted Putin’s reference to his campaign motto, “COMMON SENSE.”
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statements indicated a shift in U.S. policy, dismissing Ukraine’s restoration to pre-2014 borders as unrealistic and stating that Ukraine’s NATO membership is not a viable goal.
Hegseth, during his first European visit as Pentagon chief, emphasised that security guarantees for Ukraine would require contributions from both European and non-European troops, requiring a collaborative international effort.
While Ukraine expresses a desire to reclaim its territory, Hegseth acknowledged the difficulty it might face in obtaining areas currently occupied by Russia.
He did not clarify the level of military support the U.S. would provide moving forward, nor did he suggest an imminent increase in arms supplies.
Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, stated that they have a significant chance to end the war, with strong support from allies anticipated at the upcoming Munich Security Conference.