There has been speculation for months about who Trump might choose as his running mate. His former rival Haley could score points for him with moderate Republicans. But Trump categorically rules her out as a possible vice president.
In recent weeks, Donald Trump has repeatedly fueled the competition among Republicans as to who could fight for the White House with him as his running mate. The prospective presidential candidate has now rejected one possible candidate: his former competitor Nikki Haley.
“Nikki Haley is not being considered for vice president, but I wish her all the best,” the Republican wrote on the platform he co-founded, Truth Social.
When asked by the AFP news agency, Trump’s entourage refused to say who the 77-year-old would consider as his deputy. “Anyone who claims they know who or when President Trump will choose his running mate is lying,” one of his advisers said of the speculation about the field of candidates. “Unless that person’s name is Donald Trump.”
Week-long duel with Trump
Trump’s cancellation doesn’t really come as a surprise, as Haley had repeatedly criticized Trump. Nevertheless, it is strikingly clear, because the choice for Haley could have proven to be tactically clever for Trump. Before Trump’s social media post, the Axios portal reported that Haley was being considered by Trump’s team as a possible running mate.
The former US ambassador to the United Nations fought a week-long duel with Trump in the internal Republican primaries for the presidential candidacy, but had no chance and ultimately gave up. The 52-year-old sharpened her profile through the duel. After leaving the race, she did not stand behind Trump.
Haley is popular with moderate Republicans
Things had become quiet around her in the past few weeks. Nevertheless, her name was repeatedly mentioned in reference to Trump’s “running mate”. Haley is popular with moderate and independent Republican voters who Trump may have scared off with his rhetoric and behavior. Incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden could lure these voters away from Trump.
At the same time, Haley is hated by die-hard Trump supporters. Both Trump and Haley would have had to do a lot of convincing to sell themselves as a duo. It would also have been more than questionable whether Haley would have been available at all.
Hardly a chance for Kristi Noem anymore
For months, various names have been circulating about who Trump could bring to his side. It remains to be seen whether he will proceed strategically or whether he would prefer to choose someone who is absolutely loyal to him. The names of Congressmen Elise Stefanik and Tim Scott keep coming up.
The governor of the US state of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, is also in discussion. However, one person may have been eliminated recently: the governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem. She bragged about shooting her dog in a book, causing outrage.