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Former President Donald Trump made an announcement on his pick for vice president as everyone waits for his ultimate decision on who his pick will be.
“Nikki Haley is not under consideration for the V.P. slot, but I wish her well!” he said on his Truth Social account after Axios reported that she was.
“The GOP rivals’ relationship remains chilly. But the sources said Trump could pick Haley if he were convinced she’d help him win the presidency, avoid a potential prison sentence and cover tens of millions in legal bills if he loses,” the report said.
“Spokespeople for Trump and Haley declined to comment on Friday when asked about the possibility,” it said before the former president’s post.
“Republicans close to both campaigns believe it’s in Haley and Trump’s mutual interests to reconcile, despite their bitter fight in the GOP primary and their divergent views on some big issues,” the report said.
“Trump is scrambling to make up a fundraising disadvantage against President Biden and pay legal fees. Haley, meanwhile, has deep ties to donors who are wary of the former president. A reconciliation with Haley, his former UN ambassador, also could help Trump cut attract some of the college-educated Republicans who have kept voting for her in primaries even after she dropped out. In Indiana’s primary on Tuesday, Haley got more than 20% of the vote in a contest that also allowed Democrats and independents to cast ballots in the GOP race,” it said.
The report said that there were advantages for Haley too.
“She hasn’t endorsed Trump, and if she continues to withhold her support and Trump loses in November, significant parts of the GOP’s conservative base could blame her. That likely would threaten any future presidential campaign or future in GOP politics for her,” it said.
In April, Haley is opening a new chapter in her career after failing to capture the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Haley, who served as the Palmetto State’s governor for two terms, is joining the Washington, D.C.-based Hudson Institute, according to Fox News.
“Nikki is a proven, effective leader on both foreign and domestic policy,” Hudson President and CEO John P. Walters noted in a statement Monday. “In an era of worldwide political upheaval, she has remained a steadfast defender of freedom and an effective advocate for American security and prosperity. We are honored to have her join the Hudson team.”
During her White House campaign, Haley promoted a robust U.S. foreign policy approach to address global flashpoints like the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the clashes involving Israel and Hamas. This stance often stood in stark contrast to Trump’s “America First” agenda, which aimed to steer clear of international engagements.
During the GOP presidential primary debates, Haley often engaged in heated exchanges with rival Vivek Ramaswamy, who advocated for Trump’s “America First” philosophy regarding the nation’s role overseas.
“When our policymakers fail to call out our enemies or acknowledge the importance of our alliances, the world is less safe. That is why Hudson’s work is so critical,” Haley said. “They believe the American people should have the facts and policymakers should have the solutions to support a secure, free, and prosperous future. I look forward to partnering with them to defend the principles that make America the greatest country in the world.”
Haley, who was the recipient of the Hudson Institute’s global leadership award in 2018 while serving as U.N. ambassador, has been appointed as the Walter P. Stern Chair at the institute. According to officials, the position was created four years ago to commemorate a former chair “who was instrumental in making Hudson one of Washington’s most respected research organizations.”
Haley suspended her White House campaign on March 6, the day Trump won 14 of the 15 nominating contests on Super Tuesday. But when she did, she also refused to immediately back Trump and indicated that she planned to continue speaking out against some of his policies.
