Nikki Haley hints she’s ready to take on Trump in the 2024 presidential race

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley suggested she might be ready to launch a presidential bid in 2024, telling Fox News she believes she “can be that leader.”

Haley, who served as ambassador to the United Nations under former President Donald Trump, previously hinted at her possible run for office in August, changing her stance from 2021 when the Republican said she would not run for her party’s nomination if Trump in the same race would be .

In conversation with Fox News’ Bret Baier On Thursday, Haley said that if she runs for president, “I’m running against it [President] Joe Biden.”

“That’s what I’m focusing on because we can’t have a second term for Joe Biden,” she added.

Haley also told the Fox News anchor that there are “two things” to consider before deciding whether to run for office: “Is the current situation pushing for something new?” and “Am I that person that this could be new leaders?”

“So do I think I could be that leader? Yes,” Haley said. “But we’re still working on things and we’ll find out.

“I’ve never lost a race,” she added. “I said that then, I still say that today. I’m not going to lose now, but keep at it.”

Haley served under the Trump administration from 2016 to 2018, completing her tenure on good terms with the former president, who at the time praised Haley for her “amazing work” at the United Nations.

However, after the attack on the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Haley criticized her former boss, saying at the Republican National Committee dinner the day after the siege that Trump was “very wrong in his words,” Fox News previously reported.

During the 2022 midterm elections, Trump and Haley also clashed over the choice of South Carolina’s seat in the US House of Representatives. Haley’s recommended nominee, Rep. Nancy Mace, won re-election in November despite criticism from Trump.

Haley stayed close to officially announcing her candidacy Thursday, but did address her earlier statement about whether she would run against Trump in the presidential race, telling Fox News that she “has a great working relationship with the president.” would have”.

“But America’s survival matters,” the former governor added. “And it’s bigger than a person. And as you look ahead to America’s future, I think it’s time for a new generational shift. I don’t think you have to be 80 to be a leader in DC.”

According to a recent poll compiled by RealClear Politics (RCP), Haley ranks fourth on average in a hypothetical 2024 GOP primary, behind Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence, Trump’s ex-running mate.

On RCP’s average of four polls conducted Nov. 18 through Jan. 17, Trump leads DeSantis with a 13.8 score. Pence falls over 24 points behind the Florida leader, while Haley is about 3 points behind the former vice president.

Neither DeSantis nor Pence have stated that they will run in 2024, leaving Trump as the only confirmed GOP nominee. Biden has also not announced that he will seek re-election.

news week has reached out to Trump’s press team for comment.