Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley announced the suspension of her 2024 Republican presidential campaign on Wednesday, just 13 months after launching her White House bid in her hometown of Charleston. Despite her decision to drop out of the race, Haley refrained from immediately endorsing former President Donald Trump, who is on the verge of clinching the GOP nomination.
“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him,” Haley said during her speech at her campaign headquarters on Daniel Island. “This is now his time for choosing.”
Trump, who swept 14 out of 15 states in the Super Tuesday Republican primaries and caucuses, took to his Truth Social platform to claim that Haley got “TROUNCED” and invited her supporters to join his movement. President Joe Biden also issued a statement, praising Haley’s courage for speaking the truth about Trump and appealing to her supporters by highlighting the shared love for America that unites people across party lines.
Haley, who had previously stated she would stay in the race at least through Super Tuesday, faced increasing pressure from fellow Republicans to end her White House bid following Trump’s near sweep of the Super Tuesday states. Despite her strong performances in debates and a surge in poll numbers, Haley struggled to close the gap with the former president.
In the final weeks of her campaign, Haley ramped up her verbal attacks on Trump, questioning his mental and physical durability and arguing for a new generation to lead the country. She also made history by becoming the first woman to win a GOP presidential primary or caucus in Washington D.C.
While Haley’s campaign has come to an end, her supporters remain a key target for both the Trump and Biden campaigns as they gear up for the general election. As the Republican Party works to unify behind its eventual nominee, the question remains: will Haley’s supporters rally behind Trump, or will they seek an alternative option in November?
