Ever seen a politician try to thread the needle after a tough primary loss? That’s where Nikki Haley seems to be right now, still figuring out how to position herself post-2024 primary.
During her appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation, Haley made it clear she’s not exactly in the Trump fan club. Her words were polite but pointed: “If I thought Donald Trump was a great candidate, I wouldn’t have run for president.”
That’s not a throwaway line—it’s a carefully constructed dig that says, "I could’ve done better." She even doubled down, telling the audience, "I ran because I thought I could do a better job."
It’s a classic case of trying to appear loyal to the party while still subtly undermining the frontrunner. And let’s be real, Trump is the frontrunner, and Haley’s not, no matter how much she tries to sidestep that fact.
Host Margaret Brennan wasn’t going to let Haley off easy, though. She asked the million-dollar question: Would Haley stump for Trump in the home stretch of the campaign? Haley’s answer was the political equivalent of a shrug.
Sure, she said she’d be “happy to be helpful” if Trump wanted her to, but the subtext was clear—he hasn’t asked, and she’s not exactly banging on the door to offer her services.
Then Brennan upped the ante, bringing up Trump’s various legal issues, specifically the E. Jean Carroll case. Haley, in her usual style, tried to dodge the landmines. She said the focus should be on policy, not past controversies. But Brennan pressed her: Is Trump a good candidate?
Haley danced around the question again, admitting she didn’t love Trump’s style or approach but acknowledging his policies worked for her. She pointed out that, in a matchup between Trump and Kamala Harris, Trump would be her pick. It’s an interesting pivot—while she criticizes his personality and communication, she can’t deny the appeal of his policies.
In the end, Haley’s stance seems to be, “Trump’s not perfect, but he’s better than the alternative.” It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, but it’s a position that allows her to keep one foot in the political conversation, especially with women voters, while leaving the door open for a future run. For now, though, it seems like she’s settling for the role of reluctant Trump supporter.