Nikki Haley Makes Massive Campaign Move After Super Tuesday Disaster
Nikki Haley is set to halt her presidential campaign on Wednesday after facing widespread defeat on Super Tuesday, as insiders reveal. This development leaves Donald Trump as the sole major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination.
Insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirm Haley's decision, anticipating her formal announcement on Wednesday morning. Notably, she is not expected to endorse Trump but is likely to urge him to secure support from the coalition of moderate Republicans and independent voters who backed her.
Haley, the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, initially entered the race in February 2023 as Trump's primary challenger. During the latter part of her campaign, she emphatically cautioned the GOP against embracing Trump, arguing that his focus on chaos and personal grievances would hinder his ability to defeat President Joe Biden.
Her withdrawal paves the way for Trump to concentrate on his anticipated rematch with Biden in November, with the former president on track to secure the necessary delegates for the Republican nomination this month.
Haley's defeat represents a setback for voters, donors, and Republican officials opposed to Trump's "Make America Great Again" politics. Despite her popularity among moderates and college-educated voters, her departure underscores the challenge of unifying the divided party.
While Trump claims GOP unity, Haley's spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas, emphasizes lingering concerns among Republican primary voters about Trump. Perez-Cubas asserts, "That is not the unity our party needs for success. Addressing those voters’ concerns will make the Republican Party and America better."
Haley exits the 2024 presidential race after making history as the first woman to win a Republican primary, securing victories in the District of Columbia and Vermont. Despite initially ruling out a 2024 run against Trump, she changed her mind, citing economic troubles and the need for "generational change."
Throughout her campaign, Haley faced challenges attracting donors and support, but she outlasted rivals such as Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, and Tim Scott. Despite criticisms of Trump, she pledged to pardon him if convicted and gained support from Republican donors, independent voters, and the "Never Trump" crowd.
Despite a slow start, Haley's campaign gained momentum, and she received backing from the Koch network's political arm. However, her combative style in debates, particularly against DeSantis, may have affected her standing with voters.
As Trump refused primary debates, Haley engaged in a single debate with DeSantis, finishing third. Speculation arose about her potential as Trump's running mate, but she firmly ruled out the possibility, leaving the campaign with an elevated national profile for future endeavors.
In recent days, Haley walked back her pledge to endorse the eventual Republican nominee, indicating her intention to make her decision independently.