Haley campaign targets DeSantis ahead of debate: ‘These boots are made for lying’

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley hit competitor Ron DeSantis in a new ad on Tuesday ahead of the third GOP primary debate, labeling the Florida governor a liar and attacking him for his record on fracking and offshore drilling.

The ad, which is titled “These boots are made for lying,” included a clip from a previous debate, during which Haley claimed DeSantis was against fracking and drilling, and DeSantis shook his head, saying “it’s not true.”

Text then appeared on the screen that read, “It is true.” A series of clips were shown that appeared to contradict DeSantis’s denial at the debate, showing him speaking against fracking and drilling.

“At the next debate, expect Ron DeSantis to lie about his record again,” text on the screen read. Later, it said, “On the debate stage, you can’t trust anything he says.”

The ad’s title also serves to remind viewers of rumors that DeSantis wears lifts in his boots, which Haley has previously jabbed him over. The Florida governor has denied doing so.

The attack ad from Haley’s campaign offers a preview into the former South Carolina governor’s strategy heading into the third GOP primary debate, set to be held on Wednesday.

Haley has enjoyed a recent boost in public support for her campaign in recent weeks and now rivals DeSantis for second-place in the primary behind former President Trump, who still holds a wide lead in most national polls. Haley was widely praised for her performances during the first two debates.

Haley and DeSantis will be joined by three other candidates on the GOP primary debate stage: tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.