(LibertySociety.com) – Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., defended her support for Donald Trump as the GOP nominee in response to criticism from former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY). Haley addressed the criticism on Fox & Friends after Cheney questioned her principles for backing Trump following their rivalry in the GOP primary.
Haley emphasized that her decision to support Trump is based on substance, not style. She contrasted Trump’s policies with those of Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Cheney recently endorsed. Haley argued that Trump’s record on taxes, energy production, national security, and border control is superior to Harris’. “We can’t live the next four years like we did the last four years,” Haley said, pointing out what she sees as significant differences between the two candidates.
Cheney, a vocal critic of Trump, endorsed Harris, criticizing Haley for aligning with the former president. Cheney claimed that supporting Trump, after Haley had previously critiqued him during the primary, was inconsistent with her earlier statements and principles. Cheney warned that backing Trump equates to “abandoning the Constitution.”
In response, Haley maintained that her choice is about protecting her family and the country. She acknowledged that Trump has room to improve in terms of garnering support from key groups, including suburban women, independents, and conservative Democrats. Haley urged Trump and his running mate JD Vance to focus on policy to win over these voters.
After Cheney’s endorsement of Harris, the Trump campaign quickly resurfaced a 2019 interview where Cheney criticized Harris for having a voting record “to the left of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.” Cheney, who lost her congressional seat in 2022, has been a vocal opponent of Trump, calling him a “liar” and a “tyrant” and pledging to prevent him from returning to the Oval Office.
Haley’s defense of her support for Trump also comes amid broader discussions about the future of the Republican Party. “This is about America,” Haley reiterated, emphasizing the importance of unity within the party as the 2024 election approaches.
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