Two sources close to the former president informed AWN that Donald Trump and Nikki Haley have not spoken since their campaign concluded, sustaining a deadlock that has persisted despite the public thawing of their rivalry this week.
The severe schism that developed during the Republican presidential primary battle and the continuing disagreement over who should start mending fences are both reflected in the lack of official contact. “Their relationship remains chilled” following their contentious contest, according to one source familiar with the thoughts of the former president who spoke with AWN.
On Wednesday, Haley seemed to make a move toward mending fences. Her first public comments on the former president since withdrawing from the race in March, the former governor of South Carolina announced her intention to vote for Trump in a much-anticipated address in Washington, DC.
Regarding foreign policy, immigration, and the economy—issues that are crucial to Haley—Trump “has not been perfect,” but President Joe Biden “has been a catastrophe,” according to Haley.
“So I will be voting for Trump,” Haley declared, referring to her time as the prior president’s UN ambassador.
Nonetheless, she repeated her stance from when she terminated her campaign: she did not offer an endorsement.
On Thursday, Trump expressed his gratitude for Haley’s endorsement, but he chose not to clarify how she may aid the Republican ticket in the next November election.
During an interview with News12 during his Bronx event, Trump stated, “I think she’s gonna be on our team, because we have a lot of the same ideas, the same thoughts.” We had a horrible campaign, but I respected what she said. The ordeal was unpleasant, but she is an exceptionally competent individual, and I have no doubt that she will play a role on our squad. Without a doubt.
A large number of Republicans are hoping that Haley will be involved with the Trump campaign in some way, maybe even run for vice president.
Ralph Norman, a representative from South Carolina, told AWN that he had approached Trump with the idea and persuaded to the former president that, despite her withdrawal from the race in March, Haley could still win over independents and moderates.
Almost immediately after, Trump posted on Truth Social, “Nikki Haley is not under consideration for the V.P. slot, but I wish her well!” thereby killing the idea.
Haley became the final remaining opponent of the outgoing president in the 2024 Republican primary. While wishing Trump well and congratulating him, Haley made it clear that it was his responsibility “to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him” in her departure speech in Charleston.
And she hoped he would do just that.
There is little indication that Trump has reached out to anyone within Haley’s circle.
Haley, meanwhile, has maintained a sizable lead in primary contests even after she withdrew from the race; for example, she received 17% of the vote in Pennsylvania last month, a state that would be pivotal in the general election. Additionally, she achieved an unexpected victory in the primary election in usually red Indiana, garnering approximately 22% of the vote earlier this month.
At the same time, Trump’s camp insists that Haley, like other Republican rivals, must establish a truce.
“When you lose the battle or the war, you generally have to make the outreach, and that’s just the nature of the campaign business,” a Trump adviser told AWN in the past.