Tensions rise as Joe Scarborough and John Heilemann clash after Nikki Haley announces support for Trump

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Wednesday, May 22, announced her support for former president Donald Trump, providing questionable reasons why he was a better option than President Joe Biden, prompting MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough to launch into a rant on the May 23 episode of 'Morning Joe'.

Guest John Heilemann attempted to lighten the mood, but frustrated Scarborough even used a swear word, arguing that Haley's points — the economy, national debt, and bowing to foreign dictators — were actually some of Trump's weakest areas and accused her of lying about all of them. 

Joe Scarborough blasts Nikki Haley's 'lies' on economy and Trump

Beginning his rant, Joe Scarborough said, "This is how people spread disinformation and lies and get away with it, where you just let shit keep going. Sometimes you need to stop things and just explain how big her lies were there."

He picked on Haley's lies "about the economy," saying, "She lied about debt. Just look, just look at the numbers. She lied through her teeth about debt, and she lied about Donald Trump holding our enemies accountable when he actually praises our enemies and sends love letters to them and talk, talks about how brilliant they are, because they can hold down millions and millions of their countrymen and women."

Nikki Haley, who previously served as Donald Trump's United Nations ambassador, was the last significant contender to exit the Republican primary race in early March. Although she did not endorse Trump at the time, she encouraged him to win over her supporters.

On May 22, in her first public statement since withdrawing from the race, Haley reportedly acknowledged that Trump "has not been perfect," but criticized President Joe Biden as "a catastrophe."

The host then turned to Heilemann who tried easing the situation. 

Joe Scarborough confronts Heilemann over Nikki Haley's Trump support

Joe Scarborough continued the discussion with a pointed remark, expressing his disbelief. “I’ll let you go from there. I’m just, seriously, I’m not shocked at the endorsement. I am shocked that she would sink so low, so fast and just lie about the facts as badly as she did.”

Heilemann joined the conversation, greeting Scarborough with a light-hearted comment. “Morning, Joe. How are ya? It seems like the–”

Scarborough, maintaining his serious tone, responded, “I’m doing well. How are you doing?”

Heilemann attempted to lighten the mood with a joke about their morning routine. “The Rudy Coffee is flowing.”

However, Scarborough quickly redirected the focus back to the issue at hand. “No, no I mean, if you’re not shocked by that, John, I know it’s very funny, ha ha ha. But if you’re not shocked by her lying through her teeth that way… Like, she could have picked three or four other issues. She could have talked about Afghanistan. She could have talked about inflation. She could have talked about two or three — the cost of gasoline. But she picks these three things where she, she actually picks, Donald Trump on policy, his weakest points, and then lied to the American people about it. So yeah. Yeah. I’m not laughing about that.”

Heilemann clarified his earlier remark, acknowledging Scarborough's intensity. “I’m not laughing either. I was just saying you’re fired up. That was all I was, that was my only comment about the Rudy Coffee.”

Scarborough then assured his co-host of his composure. “I’m very happy and calm," while Heilemann concluded with a supportive note, “Good!”

Netizens slam Nikki Haley for 'crapping on her supporters' 

The internet took to social media and brutally slammed Haley and accused her of being a "turncoat".

One viewer of the show shared, "She has totally embarrassed herself and shamed the supporters who put their trust in her What a Turncoat."

In a similar vein, another observer chimed in, "Predictable and pathetic!"

Moreover, one person highlighted, "Nikki Haley: " I choose FACISM and "The Reich" over Democracy."

Adding to the conversation, another wrote, "She just crapped on her supporters I hope they vote Biden."

One comment read, "She didn't just fall in line ... She stumbled, fumbled, and dived off the top of the trump tower, AND brushed everyone else aside so she could fall in line. She's hoping he'll pick her as his VP."

Echoing this sentiment, another comment noted, "Agent Orange was right, she is a birdbrain!"

Another individual further said, "Hayley has betrayed the Republican voters who could not vote for Trump. I once had some respect for her standing up against Trump when he insulted her and her family but no more."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.