by Nikki Haley, former governor and former US ambassador to the UN, this Tuesday launched her candidacy for the Republican Party primary to reach the presidency in 2024. her first major challenger within the party.
The nomination was introduced in a three-minute video posted on Twitter by Haley, who calls for a “generational change.” “Some look at America and see vulnerability,” says the former ambassador, naming the “socialist left,” China and Russia as US rivals.
“Everyone thinks they can bully us, kick us. You should know this about me: I don’t tolerate bullies. And when you kick, it hurts them more if you’re wearing high heels,” says Haley, who was governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 before being appointed by Trump as US ambassador to the UN, a post she held for two terms. years.
During his stay at the United Nations, haley she became known for her strong defense of the Trump administration’s positions on the international stage, and it was during this time that the US pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal. Unlike many of Trump’s allies during his time in the White House, Haley has not been shamed or openly criticized by the then-President.
THE New York Times writes that the fact that Trump has yet to come up with any kind of offensive name to refer to the former ambassador could indicate a “latent respect” but also a “perception that he is not much of a threat.” However, earlier this month, the former President made a tacit criticism of the former ally, recalling his promise not to run against him. “Nikki should follow her heart, not her honor. She should definitely run!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Haley, 51, is the daughter of two Indian immigrants who settled in the US and was raised Sikh, eventually converting to Christianity when she married at 24. She is seen as a conservative with the ability to converse with more moderate sectors, especially on polarizing issues such as gender or race, according to Reuters. When she was governor of South Carolina, Haley led the movement that led to the removal of the Confederate flag from the state capitol after a white activist killed nine black people in a church in Charleston.
The nomination announcement wasn’t exactly a surprise, since it had been predicted for several weeks that Haley might advance. The optimism surrounding his candidacy is based on polls that question Trump’s favorability in a scenario where the race for the nomination is between multiple candidates. However, Haley appears in the polls with low popularity levels, indicating that the battle for popularity will be long and hard in the coming months.
It is expected that in the coming weeks the number of Trump’s opponents for the Republican nomination will increase. Among the most talked about names are Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
