Rumors that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump could be getting closer to burying the hatchet since the end of the brutal 2024 Republican primary were shot down almost as soon as they began.
Trump denied this in a Truth Social post just a few hours after it was released, saying Haley “is not under consideration for the V.P. slot, but I wish her well! DJT.”
Haley was reported to be under “active consideration” by Trump to be his vice president. The South Carolina politician has yet to endorse Trump for the presidency since dropping out of the primary in March after losing critical states on Super Tuesday.
It has long been believed that Trump is interested in a female running mate — he had Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), former centrist Democrat turned independent Tulsi Gabbard, and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) on his shortlist at one point.
But Haley appeared to have taken herself out of contention, given Trump’s comments before the New Hampshire primary in January, and their combative relationship.
“She is OK, but she is not presidential timber,” Trump said. “And when I say that, that probably means she is not going to be chosen as the vice president.”
Haley also said then that such a move would be “off the table” for her. Yet, that is also when Haley was still competitive in the primary with Trump, and looked to appeal to the more moderate base of the Republican Party.
The latter could be a solid reason for Trump to pursue her, but there’s also concern the move could irk some people close to Trump, and more conservative voters.
But Haley has drawn a significant amount of votes away from Trump in this year’s primary, and appealing to that moderate base could help the former president siphon votes away from President Joe Biden.
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Trump named Mike Pence as his vice president in July 2016 despite the latter’s late endorsement of him as well.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is the betting favorite to be Trump’s vice presidential nominee with Gabbard and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) behind him.
