Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley did not directly say Sunday whether she would support former President Trump if he were to become the party’s eventual presidential nominee.
During the first Republican primary debate of 2024, Haley said she was among the candidates who raised their hands to support Trump if he were the party’s nominee, even if he was a convicted felon. He was one of the majority. Candidates had to sign a pledge to support their party’s candidate and participate in the debates.
But in the months since, Ms. Haley has emerged as the last remaining Republican challenger to Mr. Trump, intensifying her attacks on her chief opponent.
In an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on Sunday, Haley recently criticized President Trump’s threat to NATO, even though she called him “unstable” and “unfit to be president.” He was then asked if he supported that pledge.
“I mean, remember, there’s a reason I’m at odds with him. I’m at odds with him because… I don’t think he’s the right person at the right time. I don’t think he should be president. The last thing I’m thinking about is who I’m going to support. All I’m thinking about is how to win.” said Haley, before making the case that she is the most electable candidate and most likely to win the general election.
She added, “If Donald Trump is the Republican nominee, he’s not going to win. Every poll shows that. He’s not going to win and Kamala Harris will be president.” We’re not going to let that happen. It’s not going to stop. I’m not going anywhere. We’re going to do this for the long haul. And we’re going to finish it.”
Asked whether that meant she wouldn’t support Trump if he were the Republican nominee, Haley wavered again.
“So I’m going to run and win, and you guys can talk about support later,” Haley responded. “Why don’t you ask him now if he’s going to support me if I’m a candidate?”
“Do you think he will?” Karl asked.
“Do you think he will?” Haley said with a laugh. “I highly doubt it.”
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