Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley announced she will support former President Donald Trump in his bid to reclaim the White House this November.
In early March, Haley suspended her presidential campaign after winning a single state out of fifteen elections held throughout the primary season. In April, the Hudson Institute announced Haley as the organization's next Walter P. Sterns Chair.
During a Wednesday question and answer session at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., Haley was asked who she believed was better on national security between President Joe Biden and Trump.
Haley took a long pause before responding: "As a voter, I put my priorities on a president whose gonna have the backs of our allies and hold our enemies to account. Who would secure the border — no more excuses."
"A president who would support capitalism, and freedom," Haley continued. "A president who understands we need less debt, not more debt."
Haley referenced her previous criticism of Trump, noting the former president had not been perfect on the aforementioned policies.
"But Biden has been a catastrophe. So, I will be voting for Trump," Haley added. I was asked today at @HudsonInstitute whether I would vote for Donald Trump or Joe Biden, here's my answer: pic.twitter.com/fSgPCuz3do
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) May 22, 2024
However, Haley said she still stood by her remarks made during her campaign suspension speech.
“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of our party and beyond it who did not support him,” Haley said at the time. “ At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause – not turning them away.”
"Trump would be smart to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me, and continue to support me, and not assume that they're just gonna be with him," she said Wednesday. "I genuinely hope he does that."
Haley, along with fellow former Republican presidential candidates Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson, did not endorse Trump after suspending their campaigns.
Prior to withdrawing from the race, Haley suggested she may not abide by the Republican National Committee's (RNC) pledge to support the Republican nominee for president, which candidates were required to sign in order to participate in primary debates.
When asked if she still felt bound to the RNC's pledge, Haley said: "I think I'll make what decision I want to make."
Fellow former presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took issue with Haley's remark during an appearance on Newsmax.
"I signed the pledge, and you signed the pledge saying that you’re gonna not take your ball and go home," DeSantis told host Eric Bolling. "I honored the pledge, and she’s gonna have to make a decision about whether she wants to or not."
Earlier this month, Trump confirmed Haley was not in the running for his vice president pick after an Axios report claimed he was eyeing her as his running mate.
"Nikki Haley is not under consideration for the V.P. slot, but I wish her well!" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
The outlet later updated their report to reflect the former president's remarks.
