Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced her support for former President Donald Trump's 2024 White House campaign during her first public appearance since dropping out of the Republican presidential race over two months ago.
Although acknowledging that Trump hasn't always aligned with her priorities, Haley criticized President Joe Biden, labeling his term as a "catastrophe."
Haley, who was the US ambassador to the United Nations under the former president, mentioned that she will be voting for Trump in the upcoming election.
Her comments on the 2024 race came after giving a speech at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, where she currently holds the Walter P. Stern chair.
She expressed gratitude to Republican primary voters who have stood by her despite her withdrawal from the race. Haley also encouraged the former president to connect with these voters.
Haley stated, “It would be wise for Trump to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and still stand behind me. He shouldn't assume that they will automatically support him. I truly hope he takes this step.”
This story and headline have been updated.
Editor's P/S:
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Nikki Haley's endorsement of Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election is a significant development. Despite her previous criticisms of the former president, Haley now believes he is the best choice to unseat Joe Biden, whom she views as a catastrophic leader. Her support is likely to bolster Trump's campaign, especially among Republican voters who were drawn to Haley's candidacy.
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Haley's endorsement comes with a caveat: she urges Trump to reach out to the millions of voters who supported her in the Republican primary. She believes that these voters, who were attracted to her message of unity and bipartisanship, should not be taken for granted. If Trump fails to engage with these voters, he risks alienating a significant portion of the Republican base and jeopardizing his chances of victory in 2024.