Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley hinted at a 2024 presidential bid Thursday after vowing not to run against former President Donald Trump.
Haley told Fox News’ Bret Baier that it is time for a new generation of leadership in the White House, and suggested that she may be that change. Her answer is a major shift from previous claims that she would not run if Trump announced a third presidential bid.
“I’m not gonna make an announcement here, but when you’re looking at a run for president, you look at two things,” she said. “You first look at does the current situation push for new leadership? The second question is am I that person who could be that new leader? Yes, we need to go in a new direction. Can I be that leader? Yes, I think I can be that leader. I was as governor, I took on a hard state with double digit unemployment, and we made it the beast of the southeast. And as ambassador, I took on the world when they tried to disrespect us, and I think I showed what I’m capable of at the United Nations.”
“So could I be that leader, yes, but we are still working through things and we’ll figure it out,” she continued.
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Haley previously assured she would support Trump if were to run again in 2024. She said her former remarks were made before the U.S. exited Afghanistan and the rise of crime and drugs. (RELATED: Nikki Haley Hints At 2024 Run In Scorching Speech On Biden’s Foreign Blunders)
“I had a great working relationship with the president [Trump], I appreciate all the foreign policy issues we worked on together,” she said. “But, what I’ll tell you is, the survival of America matters, and it’s bigger than one person. And when you’re looking at the future of America, I think it’s time for new generational change. I don’t think you need to be 80-years-old to go be a leader in D.C. I think it’s time for a new generation to step up and really start fixing things.”
Trump is the first 2024 primary candidate to announce his presidential campaign in November. Haley shifted her position due to, she argued, the detrimental changes in the U.S. regarding inflation and immigration.
“I’m this passionate and I’m this determined, why not me?” she concluded.
High speculations have surrounded the potential candidates who may challenge Trump in the upcoming primary race. Former Vice President Mike Pence, former CIA director Mike Pompeo and Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have been seen to be expected contenders in the race.