US President Joe Biden has said his Republican rival Donald Trump will be the party's nominee for the White House in November.
He was commenting following Mr Trump's win at the Republican presidential primary in the state of New Hampshire yesterday.
The result is a setback for former UN ambassador Nikki Haley who invested significant time and financial resources into winning the state.
She is the last major challenger in the race after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ended his presidential bid over the weekend.
Speaking after his win, Mr Trump said: "This is not your typical victory speech, but let's not have someone take a victory when she had a very bad night."
He then expressed his disbelief that Ms Haley was "still hanging around" after coming third in Iowa.
Ms Haley said after the result: "This race is far from over. There are dozens of states still to go."
She congratulated Mr Trump on his victory, adding "he earned it".
She vowed to take her campaign onward to her home state of South Carolina, which holds its GOP primary next month.
Nikki Haley speaking at a rally in the US state of New Hampshire, 24-1-24. Image: @NikkiHaley/XMs Haley also took a swipe at Mr Trump for appearing to confuse her with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and challenged him to a live debate.
She will not compete in a contest that awards delegates until South Carolina's February 24th primary.
As the state's former governor, she is hoping a strong showing there could propel her into the March 5th Super Tuesday contests.
But in a deeply conservative state where Mr Trump is exceedingly popular, those ambitions may be tough to realise and a home-state loss could prove politically devastating.
Mr Trump is now the first Republican presidential candidate to win open races in Iowa and New Hampshire since both states began leading the election calendar in 1976.
By posting easy wins in both early states, Mr Trump is demonstrating an ability to unite the Republican Party's factions firmly behind him.
US President Joe Biden makes remarks at The White House in Washington, DC, 1-4-22. Image: MediaPunch Inc / AlamyPresident Biden also won in the Democratic New Hampshire primary even though he was not on the ballot.
His supporters mounted a write-in campaign on his behalf to avoid a loss, even though the contest awards no delegates because it violates the national party rules he pushed for.
Mr Biden said following both results: "It is now clear that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee.
"And my message to the country is the stakes could not be higher. Our Democracy. Our personal freedoms - from the right to choose to the right to vote.
"Our economy - which has seen the strongest recovery in the world since COVID. All are at stake," he added.
US voters are set to go to the polls on Tuesday November 5th.
Reporting by: IRN
