Conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy dismissed the possibility of having former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in his cabinet if elected president in 2024 during an interview released Thursday.
Ramaswamy and Haley have been feuding for months on the debate stage, online and during interviews over foreign policy, social media usage and other personal attacks as they both vie for the Republican nomination. The businessman explained why he wouldn’t want Haley to play a role in his administration in an interview with Claremont Institute Chairman Thomas Klingenstein, during which he called the former ambassador a Republican-in-name-only (RINO).
“That’s a hard ‘no.’ She’s a RINO who doesn’t know what time it is, and she hasn’t met a foreign war she doesn’t love. She has no vision,” said Ramaswamy. “Also, today she is critical of BLM but at the time of the riots she was busy honoring George Floyd as some kind of patron saint. She, like many Republicans, was rolling out the red carpet for BLM. She condemns antisemitism today, but she was not saying anything in 2020 when it was perfectly clear that BLM was antisemitic.” (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Vivek Ramaswamy Seeks To Capitalize Off Of Nikki Haley Insult With New Merchandise)
The two differ on the U.S.’ involvement in foreign wars, where Haley has called for the continued support of Ukraine in its war against Russia, as well as assisting Israel to defeat Hamas, a Palestinian terror organization responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks. Ramaswamy is critical of providing aid to Ukraine, and also warns against getting further involved in conflicts in the Middle East, however has pledged diplomatic support of Israel in its response to the terrorist attack.
Haley tweeted her condolences for George Floyd in 2020 after he died following an altercation with former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, for which he was convicted. The death prompted Black Lives Matter (BLM) to hold a countless amount of riots across the country’s largest cities, resulting in devastated businesses, heightened crime and more.
Former President Donald Trump received the endorsement from BLM co-founder Mark Fisher on Nov. 29, who criticized Democrats for using racist policies that harm the black community. Trump took to Truth Social following the announcement, and said he was “honored” to have Fisher’s and BLM’s support.
DES MOINES, IOWA – NOVEMBER 17: Republican Presidential Candidate former US Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at the Thanksgiving Family Forum at the downtown Marriott. (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
The Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity endorsed Haley on Tuesday, which she has touted as receiving the support from the “the most conservative grassroots organization in the country.” Haley has also recently garnered attention from Wall Street executives, including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink.
During the second GOP primary debate, Haley said she feels “a little bit dumber” after hearing Ramaswamy defend his use of CCP-linked TikTok, and called the businessman “scum” on the third stage after he noted that her daughter was on the app. Ramaswamy decided to capitalize off of Haley’s insult, and began selling campaign merchandise labeled “Rebel Scum.”
The RealClearPolitics average for a 2024 national Republican primary, based on polls conducted between Nov. 9 and Nov. 26, indicates Ramaswamy has 4.8% support behind Haley with 9.9%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with 13.8% and Trump at 61.3%.
Ramaswamy is polling in fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire and fifth in South Carolina, according to FiveThirtyEight’s survey compilation.
Haley did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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