Former President Donald Trump disqualified Nimrata ‘Nikki’ Haley as a potential running mate for the 2024 election during a campaign rally in Concord, New Hampshire on Friday night. Trump stated that Haley, who he previously appointed as UN Ambassador during his administration, was “not of the timber” for vice presidency. His comments came a few hours after Haley publicly stated that being Trump’s running mate was “off the table.”
Trump said of Haley, “Nikki is somebody that puts America last. She is not presidential timber.” He further explained his statement by clarifying his sentiment, “when you say certain things, it sort of takes them out of play, right? I canโt say, โSheโs not of the timber to be a viceโฆโ and then say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to announce that Iโve pickedโฆโ Do you understand?”
Before his Friday campaign rally, Trump had not completely discounted the possibility of Haley as his 2024 running mate, despite resistance from close allies and supporters, such as Donald Trump Jr., Roger Stone, and former Fox News anchor, Tucker Carlson, who claimed Haley “would be reason to oppose the ticket.” Earlier this month, former White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon, anticipated a “big fight” to determine the direction of the Trump campaign and the potential selection of Haley as Trump’s running mate.