Given former President Donald Trump's continued dominance in Republican primary polling, it is no surprise that speculation is rife about his possible choice of running mate, but according to the Washington Examiner, his son recently made it clear that there is one name in particular that he will not accept – that of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Trump Jr.'s take emerged during an interview with Eric Bolling of Newsmax, and he left little doubt about where he stands on the concept of Haley, currently mounting her own presidential bid, appearing on the GOP ticket alongside his dad.
“I wouldn't have her, and I would go to great lengths to make sure that doesn't happen, the former first son declared of Haley, who also served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during his father's tenure in the White House.
Elaborating on his objections, Trump Jr. said, “Nikki Haley wants never-ending wars. She's a puppet of the establishment in Washington, D.C.”
“She's the new favorite candidate of the billionaire class because they want control.” he said, further suggesting that Haley is “[n]o different than academia and Harvard using their billions to exercise influence. They want someone they control.”
The fact that the topic of Haley's possible selection as Trump's running mate likely arose as a result of recent gains she has seen in certain early-state polls.
Adding further grist for the rumor mill, CBS recently reported that the former president himself had been floating the notion of choosing Haley for the number-two spot among certain of his advisers and supporters.
However, according to the outlet, the idea has not been warmly received by Trump's base, with Politico suggesting that an effort is afoot within those ranks to scuttle any further movement on the prospect before it gains any real traction.
The outlet suggested that “Haley's polling surge has alarmed some staunch Trump confidants who are acutely aware that the former president pays close attention to survey data,” and that advisers opposed to such an alliance are doing what they can to thwart the notion whenever the opportunity arises.
Onetime Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon spoke to Politico about the scenario and noted that while the GOP establishment might attempt to twist Trump's arm to choose Haley as his running mate, the base remains hostile to her “outdated Republican talking points” and “Fox News-laundered neoliberal neocon policies.”
Haley, for her part, has downplayed the idea of joining forces with Trump in 2024, saying, “I don't run for second,” and suggesting, as the New York Post noted, that she has no interest in taking part in the “chaos and drama” that follow the former president.
Interestingly, however, Lara Trump, wife of Donald Trump's son Eric Trump, seemed far less willing to dismiss the possibility of such a ticket.
When asked about such a political union, Lara Trump mused, “Crazier things have happened. I would never say never with Donald J. Trump.”
However, with Trump loyalists such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) suggesting that “MAGA would revolt” if Haley joined the ticket, the raw political calculus – not to mention Don. Jr.'s vehement opposition – may ultimately put an end to such discussions before they go much further.
