Nikki Haley Speaks Out: Why She's Backing Trump Despite Past Criticisms

Former President Donald Trump's campaign is talking with Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, about joining him on the campaign trail as the 2024 race comes to an end. The goal is to gain more support from female voters, according to sources who spoke with CNN.

Although no events have been officially set, there are discussions about a possible joint appearance at a Fox News town hall in late October. This was first reported by The Bulwark.

Trump has already held town halls with other prominent Republican women, like governors Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Kristi Noem. However, GOP insiders believe Haley could appeal to a different group of voters.

“The gender gap is real,” a source close to Trump said. “Haley attracts a different kind of voter. She gets a lot of positive media coverage and appeals to women who are unsure of Donald Trump.” Another Republican insider added that Trump, like other GOP candidates, struggles with gaining female support, and Haley could help improve that.

The campaign has been highlighting Haley's endorsement of Trump, especially in battleground states. For example, a billboard in Milwaukee’s suburbs says, “Endorsed by Nikki Haley.”

Haley, who was once Trump's rival in the Republican primary, endorsed him at the Republican National Convention in July. She received a prime speaking slot despite some backlash within the party. Although she has criticized Trump’s personal attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, she still supported him in a recent robocall to voters. In the message, she said she doesn’t agree with Trump all the time, but she thinks he’s the better candidate.

So far, Haley has not made any appearances with Trump on the campaign trail. Discussions on how she might join the campaign come after she had criticized Trump during her primary campaign while presenting herself as a moderate Republican.

During a Fox News interview on Friday, Trump was asked if he plans to bring more women, like his wife Melania or daughter Ivanka, to help appeal to female voters. He responded, “I think I do very well with women. And I think it’s all nonsense. I see the polls, and we do well.”

When asked specifically about bringing Haley on board, Trump said, “I’ll do what I have to do,” but then shifted the conversation to emphasize his strong performance in the GOP primary, saying he beat Haley by a large margin, even in her home state.

While Trump acknowledged Haley’s past criticisms, he also said, “Nikki is in. Nikki is helping us already.” Despite this, he noted that people suggest Haley should campaign for him, but no one tells him to ask Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to join his campaign.

Recently, Trump's campaign has made efforts to reach out to female voters, including hosting a Fox News town hall with all-female voters in Georgia. His advisers also believe that the endorsement from Robert Kennedy Jr., who has been campaigning for Trump, might attract conservative-leaning mothers. A Pew Research Center survey showed that women were more likely than men to support Kennedy, although other polls haven’t shown a big difference.