(Rightallegiance.com) – In a move that has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and a Republican who once challenged Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP primaries, voiced strong support for the former president in an op-ed published just days before Election Day. Haley’s piece, titled “Trump Isn’t Perfect, but He’s the Better Choice,” was featured in The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, adding a powerful Republican voice to Trump’s re-election bid.
Haley’s relationship with Trump has long been a mix of alliance and criticism. She served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during Trump’s first term, from 2017 to 2018, often defending his foreign policy decisions. However, Haley has also distanced herself from Trump, voicing disapproval at times and even running against him in the 2024 GOP primary before withdrawing in March. In her recent op-ed, she openly acknowledged that she doesn’t agree with Trump on every issue but argued that his policy approach is far more aligned with her vision for the country than that of the current administration.
“I don’t agree with Mr. Trump 100% of the time,” Haley wrote, “but I do agree with him most of the time, and I disagree with Ms. Harris nearly all the time. That makes this an easy call.”
Haley used the piece to highlight her concerns with the “Biden-Harris agenda,” accusing it of making both America and the world less secure. She cited issues such as the southern border crisis and the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan as key failures that, in her view, have weakened the United States on the global stage.
“Our southern border is our most pressing security threat; Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris have made it dramatically worse,” she argued. Reflecting on the fallout from the Afghan withdrawal, she added, “Their debacle in Afghanistan not only created a new terrorist state; it also signaled weakness that sparked Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
Haley further criticized the administration’s approach toward Iran, suggesting that its policy of engagement and diplomacy had strengthened a regime hostile to American allies. “Their appeasement of Iran has enriched that despotic regime and emboldened it to pursue war with Israel through its terrorist proxies,” she stated, pointing to recent escalations in the Middle East as evidence of these claims.
Haley admitted that a second Trump term would likely be imperfect but argued it would still result in policies she believes would benefit both the U.S. and its global standing. She predicted that Trump would enact tax cuts, bolster American energy production, and improve the country’s stature abroad.
“These are enormous policy differences that will affect the lives of every American and much of the world,” Haley emphasized. “Will Mr. Trump do some things I don’t like in a second term? I’m sure he will. If that was the question before voters, then I imagine Mr. Trump would lose.”
Haley’s argument was pragmatic rather than idealistic. She acknowledged Trump’s flaws, yet she maintained that these shortcomings should not outweigh the potential benefits of his policies, particularly in contrast to those of the Biden administration. “On taxes, spending, inflation, immigration, energy, and national security, the candidates are miles apart. And Mr. Trump is clearly the better choice,” she wrote.
The op-ed comes on the heels of public comments by businessman and television personality Mark Cuban, who suggested on The View that Trump “never surrounds himself with strong, intelligent women.” Cuban specifically mentioned Haley, suggesting that her independence and strong stance on issues like reproductive rights made her incompatible with Trump’s team.
“Donald Trump, you never see him around strong, intelligent women. Ever,” Cuban said. “He doesn’t like to be challenged by them, and, you know, Nikki Haley will call him on his nonsense… He just can’t have her around.”
Haley, however, remains undeterred. Appearing on Fox News’ Special Report last week, she reiterated her support for Trump, emphasizing the tangible challenges many Americans are facing under the current administration. “You don’t have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him,” she told host Bret Baier. “For my family, what I’m looking at is the fact that my daughter says she can’t afford groceries. And I look at an economy that’s been tough for all of us.”
Haley’s endorsement underscores the ongoing debate within the Republican Party, where Trump remains a divisive figure, beloved by many yet criticized for his approach and rhetoric. Her support sends a signal to voters who may share her pragmatic view, prioritizing policy outcomes over personal disagreements with Trump’s style.
The piece adds a layer of complexity to an already charged election cycle, highlighting the nuanced positions of influential Republican figures as they weigh the future of the party and the country. Haley’s endorsement suggests that, despite their differences, she sees Trump as the more viable candidate to implement the changes she believes America needs.
As Election Day approaches, the piece serves as both a personal reflection and a rallying cry for those in the Republican base who may be undecided but are disillusioned with the current administration. In Haley’s words, “No politician gets everything right… The question is whether we’re better off with his policies or his opponent’s.”