Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced the suspension of her 2024 presidential race Wednesday after only managing to win Vermont in Super Tuesday’s primaries.
Trump secured all 29 of the state’s at-large delegates, even winning Haley’s home state by a landslide.
“I am filled with the gratitude for the outpouring of support we’ve received from all across our great country, but the time has now come to suspend my campaign,” Haley said in a speech Wednesday morning. “I said I wanted Americans to have their voices heard — I have done that. I have no regrets. And although I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in.”
I end my campaign with the same words I began it from the Book of Joshua. I direct them to all Americans, but especially to so many of the women and girls out there who put their faith in our campaign.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 6, 2024
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For God… pic.twitter.com/XAwgOGzKdy
During her campaign, Haley was one of the few presidential candidates who dared criticize Trump despite previously serving as Trump’s US ambassador to the United Nations.
After bowing out of the race, Haley stopped just shy of divorcing him but urged voters to throw their support behind him as he takes on Biden in the November elections.
“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him, and I hope he does that,” she said. “At its best, politics is about bringing people into your cause, not turning them away. And our conservative cause badly needs more people. This is now his time for choosing.”
Of course, Trump used Haley’s exit as an opportunity to taunt the former governor.
“Nikki Haley got TROUNCED last night, in record setting fashion, despite the fact that Democrats, for reasons unknown, are allowed to vote in Vermont, and various other Republican Primaries,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I’d like to thank my family, friends, and the Great Republican Party for helping me to produce, by far, the most successful Super Tuesday in HISTORY, and would further like to invite all of the Haley supporters to join the greatest movement in the history of our Nation,” he added.
Trump also repeated his readiness to debate Biden “anytime, anywhere, anyplace” on the social media platform. Trump declined to participate in any of the Republican primary debates.
Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler issued a statement saying that the debate conversation would happen at an “appropriate time,” adding that Trump is “thirsy for attention.”
“He can join the tens of millions of Americans who will tune in to watch the State of the Union tomorrow night,” the statement added. “He might even learn a thing or two about bringing people together and actually delivering for the American people,” said Tyler.
