Former U.N. Ambassador and GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley has remained silent on the criminal conviction of former President Donald Trump, despite the public reactions of other prominent Republicans.
Former U.N. Ambassador and GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley's deafening silence on the criminal conviction of former President Donald Trump has raised eyebrows, as prominent Republicans and former Trump rivals continue to sound off. Haley's social media accounts have made no mention of the conviction as of early Friday afternoon, and neither she nor her representatives have responded to Fox News Digital's repeated requests for comment.
Haley's absence from the public discourse surrounding Trump's conviction is particularly notable, given her previous stance on the former president. During the 2024 GOP primary field, Haley initially stated that she would not challenge Trump, but her decision to enter the race despite her earlier commitment created a rift between the two.
After Trump emerged victorious from the primary battle, Haley initially hesitated to endorse him, but ultimately expressed her support during an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington. However, she emphasized that Trump needed to reach out to her supporters and not take their support for granted.
Trump was found guilty Thursday on all 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election. The verdict has sparked mixed reactions from prominent Republicans, with former opponents such as former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former Senator Mitt Romney expressing disappointment, while some allies, including former National Security Advisor John Bolton, have remained supportive.
Haley's silence on the matter has fueled speculation about her political calculations and long-term ambitions. Some analysts suggest that she may be distancing herself from Trump to maintain credibility with moderate and independent voters, while others believe that she may be trying to avoid further alienating Trump's base.
Her trip to Israel during the time of Trump's conviction has also been cited as a potential factor in her silence. Haley has posted multiple times on her social media accounts about the Oct. 7 attack carried out by Hamas against Israel, highlighting her focus on foreign policy issues.
However, it is important to note that Haley has not publicly criticized Trump since her endorsement. Whether she will continue to remain silent on his conviction or choose to comment at a later date remains to be seen. Her actions will be closely scrutinized by both Trump supporters and her own supporters, as she navigates the delicate political landscape ahead of the 2024 election.
