Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who challenged former President Donald Trump in this year’s Republican primaries, recently announced her support for Trump. In response, Trump expressed his belief that Haley will join his team in some capacity.
Haley served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations during Trump’s first term in office. Following her withdrawal from the presidential race, she publicly declared her support for her former boss and adversary, while criticizing President Joe Biden’s term as a “disaster.”
After a campaign event in The Bronx, New York, President Trump sat down for an interview with News 12 New York and addressed Haley’s public endorsement after exiting the presidential race.
When asked if Haley might join his team or even be considered for a position, Trump responded positively, saying, “Well, I think she will be joining our team because we have a lot of the same views and ideas.” He added, “I appreciate the things she said. You know, we had a very vicious primary, very brutal, but she’s a very capable person, and I believe she will absolutely be joining our team in some form.”
Despite the intense competition and disagreements during the primaries, Haley’s endorsement marks a significant shift in the public relationship between two prominent figures. This change in attitude signifies a more unified front within the Republican Party against the current administration, signaling a strategic move to consolidate conservative support before the election.
During the interview, Trump refused to disclose the names of his top three vice presidential picks, but he previously mentioned that Haley was not on his list of potential running mates.
In a speech at the Hudson Institute in Washington, Haley emphasized her priorities of supporting allies, holding enemies accountable, and ensuring border security in a future president. She currently holds the Walter P. Stern Chair at the think tank.
“There is no excuse,” she said, “for a president who supports capitalism and freedom, who understands that we need less debt, not more. Trump is not perfect on these policies. I’ve said that many times. But Biden is a disaster. So, I will be voting for Trump.”
Haley urged President Trump to engage with her supporters.
Despite the conclusion of her campaign, Haley garnered some support in the Republican primaries. Last week, she received 20% of the vote in the Maryland primary and 18% in Nebraska. Earlier this month, she won 22% of the vote in Indiana.
Haley has been critical of both Democratic and Republican foreign policies, particularly concerning potential threats to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan from countries like China. She stressed the importance of addressing both domestic and international issues simultaneously to prevent the growth of adversaries.
In her speech at the Hudson Institute, Haley criticized President Biden, the Democratic Party, and the Republican Party for their foreign policies.
She condemned the Democratic response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, citing Biden’s decision to withhold certain weapons over concerns of their use in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Hamas remnants are believed to be stationed in Rafah.
Haley also criticized Biden’s handling of the Ukraine conflict, accusing him of failing to provide needed resources to Kyiv.
She warned that China is closely observing America’s response to the Ukraine conflict, which could influence Beijing’s decision on potentially invading Taiwan.
Overall, Haley’s endorsement of Trump and her strong stance on foreign policy issues indicate her continued influence within the Republican Party and her commitment to promoting conservative values both domestically and internationally.