Former President Donald Trump has dashed hopes of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley being his vice president pick. During a rally in New Hampshire, Trump emphasized that Haley is respectable but lacks the presidential qualities he seeks in a running mate. This revelation comes as Haley trails behind Trump in the Republican nomination race, particularly in New Hampshire, which will hold its primary on Tuesday.
Trump and Haley recently engaged in a public feud, with each party labeling the other as the biggest loser. The feud was sparked when Trump congratulated Haley for her third-place finish in the Iowa caucus, only to later say that she would not only lose the White House but also the House and Senate for the Republicans.
Haley retaliated by accusing Trump of being “confused about his own record” and pointing out that the Republicans lost the House, Senate, and White House under his leadership. She also emphasized her potential to outperform President Joe Biden by double digits, a feat Trump struggled to achieve.
Meanwhile, speculation arose about Haley being a potential running mate for Trump, given her standing as his top-polling rival. However, Trump’s public statements and opposition from close allies, including his son Donald Trump Jr., suggest discord within the Trump camp regarding Haley’s alignment with the former president. Trump expressed reservations about announcing a vice presidential pick if certain disqualifying comments had been made.
Despite Trump privately exploring opinions on Haley’s potential candidacy last month, her recent statements have all but ruled out the possibility. Haley stated this week that she is not interested in being anyone’s vice president, firmly closing the door on the vice presidential role.
Overall, the public feud between Trump and Haley and Trump’s decision not to consider her as his vice presidential pick have added to the political dynamics of the Republican nomination race. As the primary in New Hampshire approaches, it remains to be seen how this development will impact Haley’s standing in the race and whether Trump’s decision will sway the opinions of Republican voters.
