Portfolio shows Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (L) and former U.S. President Donald Trump campaigning in New Hampshire on January 23, 2024.
Reuters
Donald Trump made it clear on Saturday that former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was not on his short list of running mates, quashing rumors that his campaign had been considering her as an option.
“Nikki Haley is not being considered for VP, but I wish her the best!” the Republican presidential candidate wrote in a post for The Truth Society, signed “DJT.”
Hours earlier, Axios reported, citing two anonymous sources, that Haley participated in a vice presidential conversation with the Trump campaign. Subsequent media reports also echoed this rumor.
The political calculation behind the Trump-Haley vote is obvious.
Haley’s wealthy donor base could help Trump solve his fundraising problems, which are compounded by legal expenses related to several ongoing lawsuits.
Additionally, Haley, who has not yet endorsed the former president, could help win over Trump-skeptic Republican voters that President Joe Biden’s campaign has been vying for since Haley dropped out of the race.
Haley suspended her presidential campaign in March but is still seeking votes, including in Indiana’s primary on Thursday, where she won nearly 22% of the vote.
Despite her clear political advantage, Trump and Haley’s bitter battle during the Republican primaries ruled out her chance to serve as vice president.
“She’s not presidential timber,” Trump said of Haley at a rally in New Hampshire in January. “Now, when I say that, it probably means she won’t be selected as vice president.”
Haley, for her part, has repeatedly said she has no interest in the vice presidential seat while she’s still campaigning.
Trump’s vice-presidential bid has attracted increased attention in the past few weeks, including from high-dollar donors seeking to pursue his own proposals.
Some of the names on the list include Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), former Republican presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Sen. Marco Luby Austria (R-Fl.). and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem also appears to be a frontrunner for the vice presidential nomination, though her chances appear to have waned amid backlash over her new memoir, which contains her shooting of several family farm pets anecdote, and an unconfirmed story about meeting.
“I like her very much,” Trump told Spectrum 1 News in Wisconsin on Tuesday. “I don’t want to comment on anyone on the list. But she’s had a rough few days. I will say that.”
While all the vice presidential candidates have offered help to Trump’s campaign, the former president has delayed making a final decision on his potential running mate.
