Nikki Haley, former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, received more Republican primary votes than any challenger to Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination. Despite her initial opposition to Trump during the primary, she has since endorsed him and released her delegates to support him at the Republican National Convention. However, Haley has not been actively campaigning with Trump like some of his other primary rivals. She has offered to help Trump with appearances but none have been scheduled yet.
During the GOP primary, Haley openly questioned the fitness of both Trump and President Joe Biden for office, repeatedly calling for cognitive tests for older politicians. She warned that nominating Trump would lead to Kamala Harris becoming president, implying that Biden would be unable to serve another term. Trump, in turn, expressed irritation with Haley, especially after she became his last remaining primary rival and continued to campaign against him.
Haley ended her 2024 presidential campaign after Super Tuesday contests and waited two months to endorse Trump. She has made it clear that she supports Trump in the general election, despite not actively campaigning for him. Haley has launched her own radio show where she criticizes Harris and has recorded robocalls for the Trump campaign. She has also made low-dollar fundraising appeals. Her support for Trump, despite not actively campaigning for him, may benefit her in a future campaign of her own.
Haley has stated that she supports Trump because she believes he understands the need to make America strong, safe, and prosperous. She has made it clear that she and Harris are total opposites on every issue and any attempt to use her name to support Harris or her agenda is deceptive and wrong. Haley’s strategic decision to endorse Trump while not actively campaigning with him may help her appeal to both never-Trumpers and pro-Trump voters in a future campaign of her own.
Veteran Republican strategist Terry Sullivan believes that Haley’s decision not to campaign with Trump but to endorse him could ultimately benefit her in a future campaign. By walking a fine line between appealing to both never-Trumpers and pro-Trump voters, Haley may be positioning herself well for a potential future run for office. Despite not actively campaigning for Trump, Haley remains supportive of the Republican nominee in the general election.
