The hush-money trial exposed Donald Trump’s dirty tactics against Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz during the 2016 Republican primaries. Former National Enquirer chief David Pecker’s testimony revealed how Trump fabricated stories against then-candidates Cruz and Rubio, both running for the Republican nomination, in an effort to improve his chances of winning the GOP race, which he later succeeded in and became the 45th president of the United States. Despite being direct opponents, Cruz and Rubio became staunch Trump supporters, following his lead and endorsing almost everything he does and says.
Nikki Haley’s bid
Once a former ally of Trump during his presidency, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley became Trump’s nightmare this year. No one really expected that Haley would remain in the race for the Republican nomination until early March, especially not after Ron DeSantis, widely seen as Trump’s most serious challenger before the start of the primaries, suspended his campaign at the very beginning of the year and endorsed Trump. The former president won every single state this year, except for Vermont, giving Haley no chances to even dream about becoming the Republican nominee until she ultimately decided to suspend her bid but didn’t endorse Trump.
Trump’s nightmare
Even after suspending her campaign, a significant number of Republican voters continue to cast their votes for Haley, ultimately making her Trump’s nightmare. With the current survey numbers showing a very tied race with Biden, Trump needs every single vote he could get, but without Haley’s endorsement, it’s difficult to imagine how Trump could gain the support of Haley’s voters. But things took a sudden turn last week in what appears to be a positive direction for Trump’s campaign.
Haley first open support for Trump
Nikki Haley once warned that Trump becoming the Republican presidential nominee would be “suicide for our country” and that “everything Trump touches turns to chaos.” But on Wednesday, she forgot all of her own dire warnings and stated she plans to vote for him in November. Unfortunately for her, the internet never forgets.
“Trump has not been perfect on these policies, but Biden has been a catastrophe. So I will be voting for Trump,” Haley said during a speech at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think-tank she chairs. “As a voter, I put my priorities on a president who’s going to have the backs of our allies and hold our enemies to account, who would secure the border, who would support capitalism and freedom, who understands we need less debt not more debt,” Haley said, while stopping short of a full endorsement.
A running mate
According to sources, Axios reported earlier in May that Trump might think about choosing Nikki Haley as his vice-presidential candidate if he believes she would strengthen his chances for re-election, help him dodge potential legal consequences, and handle his hefty legal expenses. Although Trump has not yet revealed his choice for running mate, Haley is seen as a likely option considering her support base. However, shortly after this report, Trump stated on Truth Social that Haley was not being considered for the role of Vice President.
The reactions
Many observed that Haley’s recent support for Trump mirrored the actions of Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz in the past. Some believe her shift might be a strategic move to secure the vice-presidential nomination, a topic of speculation for some time. While no official decisions have been made, it’s also not impossible, as behind-the-scenes discussions might provide Trump with the necessary support from Haley’s followers and increase his lead over Biden.
But the internet never forgets, so online users responded appropriately to Haley’s statement on Trump:
“There goes her reputation, permanently,” one user posted in response to news of Haley’s vote.
“Nikki Haley’s transformation is almost complete. The only thing left to do is shoot a puppy ,” another mused .
Haley’s choice to kiss the ring angered her supporters, many of whom rallied behind her in protest against Trump’s extreme agenda.
“Stop with the bullsh!t,” wrote former RNC chairman Michael Steele. “You could have said this on the day you suspended your campaign. Continue to support you?! The people who voted for you will not be voting for Trump. That was the point. I wish I could say I am disappointed. I am not even surprised.”
