Former President Donald Trump rebutted claims on Saturday that Nikki Haley was being considered as his running mate for the November election, dismissing a report by Axios.
Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to clarify that Haley was not under consideration for the vice presidential slot, but he wished her well.
The Axios report suggested that Trump might choose Haley if he is convinced she can bolster his chances of winning the presidency, help avoid potential legal troubles, and cover hefty legal bills if he were to lose. However, Trump’s statement directly contradicted these claims, indicating that Haley was not in contention for the role.
Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, had previously ended her bid for the presidency in March.
Despite acknowledging Trump as the Republican nominee, she had refrained from endorsing him, adding intrigue to the speculation surrounding her potential candidacy as Trump’s running mate.
Trump’s dismissal of Haley as a potential running mate leaves a long list of other candidates in the running for the vice presidential position.
This list includes notable figures such as North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and U.S. Senators Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, and J.D. Vance, as well as U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik.
According to advisers close to Trump, there is no rush to select a running mate. The formal nomination will not occur until the Republican convention in July in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Until then, Trump will face Democratic President Joe Biden in the November general election.
