After months of speculation, Nikki Haley announced this week that she will vote for Donald Trump in November’s Presidential election. Due to their widespread political and temperamental differences, it was uncertain whether Haley would endorse or commit to voting for her former GOP opponent.
Haley’s Endorsement of Trump
Nikki Haley announced the decision to vote for Trump at her first public speech following her exit from the presidential race in March. Speaking at a D.C. think tank, the Hudson Institution, Haley stated her priorities before the crowd, including supporting U.S. allies, securing the southern border, increasing “capitalism and freedom,” and reducing the national debt.
“Trump Has Not Been Perfect…But Biden Has Been A Catastrophe”
Haley further qualified, “Trump has not been perfect on these policies. I’ve made that clear many times, but Biden has been a catastrophe. So I will be voting for Trump.”
Haley’s Critical Support
Many have noted that her vote supporting Trump is more a critique of President Biden. In that way, some interpret her statements as an endorsement, and others do not go so far.
Haley’s Suspension Speech Reference
Haley harkened back to her March speech marking her suspension from pursuing the Republican Presidential nomination, stating that Trump must “earn the votes of those in our party and beyond who did not support him.”
Advice for Trump
Haley continued to advise Trump to attract more voters rather than relying only on those who already supported him. She told the crowd at the Hudson Institute, “Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me and not assume that they’re just going to be with him.”
Haley at the Hudson Institute
The occasion for Haley’s speech was marking her debut as the Walter P. Stern chair at the conservative think tank. One area where Haley and Trump differ starkly is their foreign policy viewpoints. Trump and his MAGA supporters are largely isolationist and prefer to remain outside of international conflict.
In contrast, Haley is more conventionally Republican and came into political power during Bush’s nation-building, interventionist era. Though Haley disagrees with the isolationists, she further opposes Biden’s foreign policy.
Biden Campaign’s Reaction
After Haley’s announcement that she would vote for Trump, the Biden Campaign stated that despite Haley’s decision, many other Republicans still reject Trump. Though Haley came around to Trump, “Nothing has changed for the millions of Republican Voters who continue to cast their ballots against Donald Trump,” Michael Tyler said on behalf of the Biden Campaign.
Haley’s Foreign Policy Views
In contrast to the Republican isolationist camp, Haley painted a picture of an interventionist foreign policy in her speech. She announced her intention to visit Israel to stand with the Israeli people.
Support for Ukraine
Haley also praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, who risked the ire of the Freedom Caucus to advance funding for Ukraine and other U.S. allies. She also criticized Republican lawmakers who would not vote for foreign aid without border funding. Haley stated, “Republicans are wrong when they say we have to fix the border before doing anything else.”
Critique of Biden’s Israel Policy
In representing her foreign policy as opposed to that of the Biden Administration, Haley criticized the Administration’s decision to stop providing certain bombs to Israel, calling it a “foolish” decision due to her assessment that pausing the material support will only prolong the conflict and suffering for all sides as well as encourage the terrorists.
She also aimed Biden’s 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, stating that the move led to increased aggression on the part of Iran and Russia.
Haley on Biden’s Legacy
Haley chose flawed Trump over Biden, saying, “Joe Biden’s legacy is already clear. He will go down in history as the commander-in-chief who refused to stop our enemies.”
Campaign Trail Echoes
Haley’s strengths are shown in her expertise in foreign policy. She relied on this strength throughout her campaign in 2023 and early 2024. Her interventionist tendencies, however, are at odds with the Trump worldview and with many members of her party.
Iran Helicopter Crash
In discussing a recent helicopter crash that killed Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, Haley stated, “The people of Iran are better off without him.” She further claimed that Raisi was responsible for thousands of deaths of innocent people.
Acknowledgment of Supporters
Haley’s targeted audience for her first speech since bowing out of the Presidential race was a supportive coalition of moderate Republicans and Never Trumpers and the independents who supported her candidacy.
Haley’s Political Future
Haley is not likely to retreat from the political sphere. Her candidacy was overshadowed from the start by Trump’s cult of personality and popularity among many Republicans. After Trump has his second opportunity to be elected as President, Haley retains as good a chance as any other Republican to ascend to the top spot in the U.S. government in 2028.
Without directly addressing her plans, Haley continues to engage in fundraising and strategy sessions. She remains close to her campaign advisers, Betsy Ankney and Jon Lerner, who were both in attendance at the Hudson Institute speech.
