Former President Donald Trump has reportedly been considering former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley as a potential running mate in the event he secures the Republican Party presidential nomination. According to sources close to Trump, the former president has asked allies for their opinion on Haley’s potential as a vice presidential pick.
Some of Trump’s most vocal supporters, including his son Donald Trump Jr., have pushed back against the idea, while others, like former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have advised Trump to consider Haley for the position. However, there are concerns within Trump’s inner circle that adding Haley to his ticket may not be the best strategic move.
In response to the speculation, Haley has neither confirmed nor denied her interest in being a vice presidential candidate. When pressed in a recent interview about the possibility, Haley stated that she does not “play for second,” but did not rule out the idea outright as two other Republican candidates have.
This news comes as other possible running mates have also been discussed within Trump’s camp, including former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Senators J.D. Vance and Tim Scott, Representatives Byron Donalds and Elise Stefanik, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and Arizona Republican Kari Lake.
Tucker Carlson says he would absolutely not support Nikki Haley as Donald Trump’s choice for Vice President.
Do you agree with Tucker?? pic.twitter.com/yGETNtBAjh— Mary Frost (@Mary_frostt) December 19, 2023
While on Newsmax, Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, suggested that Trump may be open to the idea of choosing Haley as his running mate. In a recent radio interview, Trump himself said that the prospect was “interesting,” but that he wasn’t “even thinking about that.” He went on to say that he has always had a good relationship with Haley.
This is not the first time Haley has been mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate. In a book released earlier this year, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged that Haley “plotted” with some close to Trump to replace then-Vice President Mike Pence. In response, Haley denied the claim but did not rule out the possibility of being Trump’s running mate.
The issue has become a talking point among some of the other Republican candidates, who have criticized Haley for not explicitly ruling out being Trump’s vice president. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has suggested that Haley may be angling for the position and noted that both he and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have ruled out accepting a vice presidential nomination from Trump.
DeSantis has also called out Haley for not answering whether she would accept the role should it be offered to her. He believes that she is working to help Trump in the election and is not a serious contender for the nomination. Regardless, speculation is likely to continue as the race for the Republican nomination heats up.
