Nikki Haley tells Trump and GOP to 'quit whining' about the Harris campaign

Nikki Haley shared her message for Republicans as Harris campaign gains momentum ahead of the election
PUBLISHED AUG 14, 2024
Nikki Haley warned Donald Trump to stop highlighting petty issues and fight Kamala Harris on policies (Getty Images)
Nikki Haley warned Donald Trump to stop highlighting petty issues and fight Kamala Harris on policies (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley advised Donald Trump and the Republicans to focus on policies instead of petty attacks, as their rival Kamala Harris gains momentum in her bid for the White House. 

After battling out till the end in the Republican primaries, Haley had endorsed former President and GOP nominee Trump during the Republican National Convention in July. While she insisted that she genuinely hoped for Trump's reelection in November, she also shared that she had no interest in serving in his administration.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 09:  U.S. President Donald Trump announces that he has accepted the resigna
Nikki Haley has endorsed Donald Trump for a second term in the White House, but refuses to serve in his administration (Getty Images)

"Trump knows how to win. He just needs to do it now. He has the ability to do it," she said. "There is no question that I want to see Donald Trump win this election because we can't have a Kamala Harris and Tim Walz," Haley added. 

Nikki Haley reminds GOP that 'American people are smart'

Former South Carolina Gov Haley told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier that the Trump campaign should refrain from going after Vice President Harris over her race, intellect, or the size of the crowd at her rally, and focus on policy instead.

"You can't win on those things. The American people are smart. Treat them like they're smart," she said. "It's not about her. It's about the American people. Talk to them and let them know you need their vote," she added. 

She also asked Republicans to "quit whining" about Harris and "quit complaining" about the fact that she is yet to sit down for a formal interview after replacing incumbent Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: U.S Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks alongside U.S. Presiden
Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket (Getty Images)

"I take her at her word that she thinks that illegal immigrants should be able to vote and be given driver's licenses. I take her at her word that she wants to ban fracking and kill a bunch of US jobs. Take her at her word," urged Haley.

Nikki Haley lists target issues for Republicans

Haley pointed out that the GOP should focus on courting suburban women, independents, moderate Republicans, and conservative Democrats in the run-up to the general election.



 

"The target issues are the economy, the fact that Kamala wants to raise taxes, the fact that she's taking money from those that didn't go to college and has given it to those that did, the fact that when Afghanistan fell, the fact that when they lifted sanctions on Iran, the fact that when they, you know, actually said that they would help Israel and then pulled back, where was Kamala when that happened? She was sitting right next to Joe Biden in the Situation Room," she continued.

"This administration is Kamala Harris' administration. Everything that has happened is hers. So define her in that way. Talk about those issues," added Haley.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Trump has said the Golden Dome will be able to intercept missiles 'even if they are launched from other sides of the world and even if they are launched from space' 
5 hours ago
Chuck Schumer called the shooting 'appalling and unacceptable' and criticized Republicans for failing to rein in ICE
7 hours ago
Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez urged Senate Democrats to oppose ICE funding after the fatal Minneapolis shooting, linking the move to broader criticism of federal immigration tactics
10 hours ago
Newsom advocated for thorough 'background checks' for all agents and at least "two years of training" before they are deployed in the field
10 hours ago
JD Vance criticized Minnesota leaders, saying ICE agents sought police cooperation but were refused, heightening tensions in the community
16 hours ago
Democrats blast Trump administration and ICE surge after second fatal shooting in Minneapolis
16 hours ago
The president shares a photo of the gunman’s weapon, accusing local leaders of hiding stolen funds.
18 hours ago
A Chinese company has already expressed interest in the Kvanefjeld mining project in Greenland’s south
1 day ago
Mamdani’s confirmation comes against the tense backdrop of the Trump administration's nationwide crackdown on immigrants and anti-ICE protests
1 day ago
This digital jab comes at the heels of the WEF annual summit, where President Trump claimed to have secured a Greenland 'framework'
1 day ago