Former President Donald Trump, at a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, expressed skepticism about choosing former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley as his vice-presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.
He questioned her qualifications, stating, “She is not presidential timber,” and implying that this assessment would likely exclude her from being chosen as the vice president.
Haley’s presidential ambitions and Trump’s critique
Haley has been a significant primary opponent, currently ranking second in polls and intensifying her rhetoric, though she has refrained from directly attacking Trump.
Haley has been assertive about her presidential ambitions, telling CBS News, “I don’t think he needs to be the next president. I’m going to be the next president,” after her third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses.
She also expressed a desire to move forward, away from Trump’s influence. Meanwhile, Trump, speaking in New Hampshire, was forthright in his opinion of Haley’s political capabilities, declaring, “She’s not tough enough. She’s not smart enough. She cannot do this job.”
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Trump discusses VP criteria amid speculation on Stefanik as running mate
In discussing the qualities necessary for a vice president, Trump highlighted the contradiction in dismissing someone’s capabilities and selecting them for a significant role.
“I can’t say she’s not of the timber to be a vice and then say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to announce—’ Do you understand? But that’s the way it is. Tell it like it is,” he explained.
At the rally, he was accompanied by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who is rumored to be a potential running mate.
Speculation, opposition surrounding Trump’s VP choice
The speculation about Trump’s running mate has intensified, especially after his substantial win in Iowa.
Donald Trump Jr. has expressed his disapproval of Haley, saying on Newsmax, “I would do whatever I could to make sure it wasn’t Nikki Haley.” He suspects her campaign might be funded by Democrats.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson echoed similar views, suggesting that Democrats might support Haley if Ron DeSantis drops out of the race to prevent a Trump victory.
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Haley rejects VP role as opposition grows among Trump allies
Haley has been clear about her stance on the vice-presidential role, firmly rejecting the idea during a diner stop in Amherst, New Hampshire.
“I don’t want to be anybody’s vice president. That is off the table,” she stated, emphasizing her disinterest in the position. Politico and The Washington Post corroborated this position.
Opposition to Haley as a potential vice president is growing among Trump’s allies. Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the race, shared Carlson’s thoughts on Democrat support for Haley.
Trump gets notable endorsement at New Hampshire rally
He posted on X, “I’ve done my part & dropped out before New Hampshire so that Trump can win by a decisive margin and end this GOP primary.”
In a significant development, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) endorsed Trump at the New Hampshire rally, choosing him over Haley, a fellow South Carolinian.
Before this, Haley had commented on Trump’s alignment with Washington insiders despite his claim to drain the swamp.
Trump’s commanding lead and VP speculations
The likelihood of Trump choosing the next vice president appears strong following his dominant performance in the Iowa caucuses.
Jason Meister, an adviser to Trump, told The Epoch Times, “People are talking about Trump VP picks because they recognize the primary is over and has been for quite some time.”
Trump currently leads in the polls with a significant margin over Haley and DeSantis.
Trump’s potential VP picks: A diverse list of contenders emerges
While the final decision remains under wraps, several names have been floated as potential vice-presidential candidates alongside Trump.
These include Stefanik, former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Ramaswamy, Carlson, Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Ben Carson, Trump’s former housing secretary.
The ideal VP candidate, according to experts, should complement rather than overshadow the presidential nominee.
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