Trump Kills Rumors About Considering Haley for VP
Donald Trump clarified on Saturday that former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is not being considered for his running mate, putting an end to speculations about her potential role in his campaign.
In a post on Truth Social, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee stated, “Nikki Haley is not under consideration for the V.P. slot, but I wish her well!” The message was signed “DJT.”
This announcement followed a report from Axios earlier in the day, citing anonymous sources, that Haley was being discussed as a potential vice president within the Trump campaign. Subsequent media reports also fueled these rumors.
The strategic reasoning behind a Trump-Haley ticket was evident. Haley’s affluent donor network could have aided Trump in addressing his fundraising challenges, exacerbated by legal expenses from ongoing lawsuits. Additionally, Haley, who has not endorsed Trump yet, could have helped sway Trump-skeptical Republican voters, a demographic targeted by President Joe Biden’s campaign since Haley exited the race.
Despite these potential benefits, the acrimonious rivalry between Trump and Haley during the Republican primary effectively ruled out her chances of becoming vice president.
Trump had previously criticized Haley's presidential qualifications at a New Hampshire rally in January, stating, “She is not presidential timber. Now when I say that, that probably means that she’s not going to be chosen as the vice president.”
For her part, Haley consistently expressed disinterest in the vice presidential role while campaigning.
The speculation around Trump's vice presidential pick has intensified recently, attracting attention from high-profile donors advocating for their preferred candidates.
Some names circulating in discussions include House Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, former GOP presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was also considered a frontrunner for the VP position, but controversies surrounding her new memoir, including stories about killing her family’s farm pets and an unverified encounter with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, have dampened her prospects.
Trump acknowledged Noem's recent challenges in a Tuesday interview but refrained from commenting further on potential candidates.
While the vice presidential hopefuls bolster Trump’s campaign, the former president has yet to finalize his choice for a running mate.