At a town hall in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley was confronted with a pointed question from an attendee, challenging her to unequivocally reject any possibility of becoming Donald Trump’s vice president. This query came in the wake of Haley’s recent controversial remarks about slavery.
The voter pressed Haley for a firm stance, referencing her need for “moral clarity” and alluding to her recent handling of a question about the Civil War’s cause, as reported by CNN’s Eva McKend. Haley had faced intense criticism for initially omitting slavery as the war’s cause, a stance she later revised, acknowledging the role of slavery in the conflict.
Responding to the question about the vice presidency, Haley, a former U.N. ambassador under Trump, gave an open-ended answer. “I’ve said before, I don’t play for second. I’ve never played for a second. I’m not gonna start now,” she stated, without directly refusing the VP role.
Her comments at another campaign event further stirred the political waters. Haley suggested that, if elected in 2024 and if Trump were found guilty of any crime, she would consider pardoning him to help the country move forward.
Despite gaining momentum in her campaign, Haley remains behind Trump in the polls. Trump himself, facing multiple indictments across federal and state cases, has been advised by many within his circle not to choose Haley as his running mate. The dynamic between Haley and Trump continues to be a focal point in the ongoing political discourse.