Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, recently criticized former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, for their derogatory comments about women, specifically Democratic figures like Vice President Kamala Harris.
In an interview on Fox & Friends, Haley emphasized that calling women “dumb” or attacking their intelligence is counterproductive, as it alienates female voters, including Republicans. Instead, she urged Republicans to focus on policy debates rather than personal attacks. Haley pointed out that Harris, as a prosecutor, didn’t achieve her position by accident, and Republicans should engage with her policies rather than insult her.
Haley has consistently advocated for focusing on policies rather than rhetoric, stating that this is where Republicans can win. She noted that when Republicans insult Democratic women, it also raises concerns among Republican women.
Haley’s call to avoid personal attacks on women like Harris stems from her belief that sticking to policy discussions would strengthen the Republican platform, rather than undermining it with unnecessary distractions. She also reaffirmed that she supports Trump’s policies but disapproves of his communication style.
Nikki Haley Criticizes Trump and JD Vance for Insulting Women, Calls for Policy-Focused Debates
Although Haley exited the GOP presidential primary earlier this year, she has maintained a critical stance toward Trump’s rhetoric while still supporting his candidacy. She reiterated this nuanced position during an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation, where she expressed disagreements with Trump’s style and communication, but ultimately stated that she would support him due to his policies.
Haley’s critique extended to Vance, calling out his comments on women’s personal lives, which she felt were equally unhelpful and distracting from policy discussions.
Haley has also expressed concerns about Trump’s behavior, especially regarding his handling of legal challenges. While running in the Republican primaries, she commented that Trump’s constant portrayal of himself as a victim during his legal battles was not conducive to strong leadership.
She argued that Trump’s behavior in response to court cases sends the wrong message, especially to global adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran, as it portrays weakness and instability.
Additionally, Haley has questioned Trump’s ability to lead the country, citing concerns about his age and overall decline. In earlier comments, she suggested that Trump should step aside, as his diminishing capacities may hinder his ability to govern effectively.
Haley ran in the Republican primary partly because she believed Trump was no longer the leader the country needed, emphasizing that his behavior and leadership style were reasons she opposed his candidacy, even if she agreed with some of his policies.
