EXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump mentioned he’s “glad” Nikki Haley is operating for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination and mentioned she ought to “not be certain” by her previous promise to not run in opposition to him.
In an unique interview with Fox Information Digital, Trump acknowledged that many Republicans who as soon as served in his administration or had been thought-about his allies may problem him for the 2024 GOP nomination.
However the former president, who introduced his 2024 campaign in November, is encouraging that competitors and instructed Fox Information Digital: “The extra the merrier.”
Former President Donald Trump (AP Photograph/Patrick Semansky)
“I’m glad she’s operating,” Trump mentioned. “I need her to observe her coronary heart — although she made a dedication that she would by no means run in opposition to who she referred to as the best president of her lifetime.”
“She ought to do what she desires to do and never be certain by the truth that she mentioned she would by no means do it,” he mentioned.
Trump’s remark got here hours after Haley, the previous governor of South Carolina and former UN ambassador, launched her 2024 presidential marketing campaign.
NIKKI HALEY LEAPS INTO 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY AT PACKED CAMPAIGN RALLY
Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley greets folks as she pronounces her run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination at a marketing campaign occasion in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. February 15, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
The previous president was referring to feedback Haley made in April 2021. Haley instructed reporters then that she would assist Trump in 2024 if he selected to run once more.
When requested if she would run in opposition to Trump, Haley mentioned: “I’d not run if President Trump ran. And I’d discuss to him about it. That’s one thing that we’ll have a dialog about sooner or later if that call is one thing that needs to be made.”
On the time, Haley mentioned she had a “nice working relationship” with Trump and burdened the significance of “constructing on what we completed.”
Trump mentioned his personal marketing campaign is “going rather well.”
“I’m main in each ballot by loads — each Republican and Democrat alike,” Trump mentioned. “We’re going to make America nice once more.”
TRUMP CAMP REACTS TO NIKKI HALEY BECOMING FIRST OFFICIAL OPPONENT: ‘JUST ANOTHER CAREER POLITICIAN’
Donald Trump and Mike Pence pose collectively on a stage. (Getty Photographs)
Trump mentioned he had “probably the most profitable presidencies in historical past,” touting his “tax cuts, regulation cuts, the rebuilding of the army, proper to strive, and the strongest border in historical past.”
“And we’ll do it once more, and I’ll have the ability to do it in a short time,” Trump mentioned.
He mentioned he isn’t apprehensive about potential Republican candidates who may problem him in 2024, a few of whom served in his administration like former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, or supported him in his previous campaigns like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.
“The extra the merrier,” Trump instructed Fox Information Digital. “I do know all of them. I put all of them there.”
President Donald Trump speaks throughout a Cupboard assembly within the Cupboard Room of the White Home, Tuesday, July 16, 2019, in Washington. Trump is accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, and performing Protection Secretary Richard Spencer. (AP Photograph/Alex Brandon) (AP)
“Politics is a wierd bedfellow,” he mentioned. “Most of them could be nothing with out me, however I need them to do what they wish to do. They are going to inform you we had essentially the most profitable presidency, maybe, ever.”
“However these are very bold folks and I perceive precisely the place they’re coming from,” Trump instructed Fox Information Digital. “The extra the merrier.”
Trump stays the preferred and influential politician within the GOP. Practically each ballot signifies Trump and DeSantis because the favorites, whereas Haley and different figures mulling Republican presidential runs are within the single digits.
Ron DeSantis with Donald Trump. (Getty Photographs)
Haley, nonetheless, has been telling crowds that she’s “by no means misplaced an election” and that “when folks underestimate me, it’s at all times enjoyable.”
TRUMP’S IN – SO IS HALEY – HOW LARGE WILL THE GOP 2024 FIELD GROW?
Whereas DeSantis has routinely dismissed discuss of a 2024 White Home run, he has dropped hints of a potential presidential bid since his 19-point gubernatorial re-election victory in November.
Among the many others making strikes towards launching a marketing campaign or significantly contemplating a Republican presidential run are Pence, who will journey to Iowa this week; Pompeo, who’s presently on a ebook tour; now-former Govs. Larry Hogan of Maryland and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas; Govs. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia; former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey and former Rep. Will Hurd of Texas.
Fox Information’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.