Presumptive GOP presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump has ruled Nikki Haley out as a potential vice-presidential running mate. Haley is Trump’s one-time rival for the nomination and continues to gather anti-Trump votes in states after dropping out of the race.
“Nikki Haley is not under consideration for the V.P. slot,” Trump posted to his Truth Social page about the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and governor of South Carolina.
“I wish her well!” added Trump before signing his post with his initials, DJT.
Trump’s post follows an Axios report rejection earlier Saturday that claimed Nikki Haley is under “active consideration” as his running mate and quoted individuals “familiar” with the issue.
The report pointed out it would be in the best interests of both Trump and Haley to reconcile. Furthermore, Trump has been trying to make up for a deficit in fundraising compared to President Joe Biden. At the same time, Haley has continued her ties to donors who don’t support Trump and her fundraising activities.
A partnership between Haley and Trump could also attract Republicans who won’t be wooed by Trump by any other means. Axios reported that this could cost him critical votes in a close November election with Biden.
Nikki Haley took in over 20% of the Tuesday primary vote in Indiana, which allows independents and Democrats to vote in the Republican race.
Haley hasn’t endorsed Trump yet
Haley hasn’t endorsed Trump like several former GOP presidential competitors.
But Trump blasted Haley during the early part of the campaign, saying she was unqualified to be president, and the two have differing views on issues such as making changes to Social Security and Medicare and support for Ukraine.
In the meantime, Haley will meet with 100 of her biggest donors at an event on Monday and Tuesday in her home state to thank them for their support. She has stated that it will be up to Trump to reach out to her to unite the GOP behind his campaign. Trump’s campaign says it has been united behind him the whole time.
Trump’s campaign states in a statement that it is “building a historic and unified political movement to make America great again.”
Leavitt added Trump enjoys high approval ratings among the GOP and has been gaining with “longtime Democrat constituencies such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and union workers.”
“Anyone who believes in securing the border, rebuilding the economy, restoring American energy dominance, and ending the wars Joe Biden has created worldwide is welcome to join President Trump’s team,” said Leavitt.
There is already a long list of possible vice presidential candidates that includes South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Senators Tim Scott of Florida, J.D. Vance of Ohio, and Marco Rubio of Florida, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and Representatives Byron Donalds of Florida and Elise Stefanik of New York.
Scott and Burgum competed against Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination before dropping out. Noem has been wrapped in controversy after Dems managed to bring in conservatives to criticize the story in her memoir of killing her “dangerous” dog.
According to advisers, Trump isn’t rushing to choose a running mate. He won’t be formally nominated until the July GOP convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He will face Democrat President Joe Biden in the November 5 general election.
