Haley Comments On Trump After Decision
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley recently took a public jab at President-elect Donald Trump, calling him “shallow” after he announced he would not include her in his second administration.
Haley, who ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican primary before exiting the race in March, had endorsed him over Vice President Kamala Harris leading up to Election Day. However, Trump’s refusal to bring her into his administration appears to have stoked tension between the two former allies.
Trump’s announcement was straightforward, thanking Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for their service during his first term but making it clear neither would be invited back. “I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump administration,” he posted on Truth Social, adding a note of appreciation for their previous contributions.
Haley’s response, aired on her SiriusXM radio show, was swift and pointed. She dismissed Trump’s decision as a “game” she had no interest in playing, implying that his leadership style lacks depth. “He can be shallow at times, and I think he showed that,” she remarked, suggesting she had no plans to rejoin Trump’s cabinet anyway. Despite the tension, she added a conciliatory note, encouraging her listeners to “pray that everyone he appoints does well.”
The history between Trump and Haley has been a mix of cooperation and competition. After serving as governor of South Carolina, Haley joined Trump’s administration in 2017 as U.N. ambassador, where she was a prominent figure advocating Trump’s foreign policy.
However, their relationship became strained after Haley decided to run for president in 2024. While Haley’s campaign gained some initial traction, she struggled to gain significant support in the primary race, ultimately suspending her bid after Super Tuesday.
Establishment Republicans had hoped Haley would serve as a bridge between traditional GOP members and Trump’s populist base. Her endorsement of Trump after she exited the race was a gesture of party unity, but it didn’t earn her a visible role on the campaign trail. Many Republican insiders were reportedly frustrated by Trump’s decision not to include Haley as a surrogate, which some saw as a missed opportunity to unify the party’s more traditional base.
Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to tap Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as his nominee for U.N. ambassador has been met with praise from many Republicans. Stefanik, who rose to prominence in Congress as a strong Trump ally and currently serves as the House Republican Conference Chair, is seen as a strategic pick. Her nomination signals Trump’s commitment to surrounding himself with steadfast supporters who align closely with his agenda and public image.
Haley’s criticisms may reflect a broader split within the Republican Party as it adjusts to Trump’s return to power. While her comments underscore her frustration with Trump’s decision-making, the party’s leadership appears to be consolidating around him as he prepares to take office again.
Haley’s remark that she “had no interest” in returning to Trump’s cabinet likely reflects a political reality: Trump is set on forming an administration loyal to his vision, with little room for former rivals or critics.