Donald Trump has gained support from several former primary rivals in his White House bid, except for Nikki Haley, who has continued to siphon votes from him. The acrimony between Trump and Haley has not been resolved since she left the race. Despite the lack of outreach from either side, Trump has welcomed other former opponents as surrogates. Friction between Trump and Haley intensified during the primary battle, with Trump making personal attacks against her. Haley did not endorse Trump and mentioned that he needed to earn the votes of those who did not support him.
Haley has consistently earned a significant share of the vote in Republican primary contests, including nearly 17% in Pennsylvania. Concerns have been raised about Trump’s lack of outreach to Haley voters, potentially costing him the state in the fall election. President Biden’s campaign is targeting Haley supporters in critical battleground areas, aiming to unite Democrats and Republicans against Trump. Not only Haley but other 2024 hopefuls have declined to support Trump, including Chris Christie and Mike Pence.
Since ending her campaign, Haley has largely stayed out of the public eye to spend time with her family. Despite congratulating Trump and wishing him well in her farewell address, there has been no contact between the two. People close to Trump believe he would be open to meeting with Haley if she pledged support for him. While Haley appeals to independent voters crucial to Trump’s success, his advisers insist that she needs to make the first move. A similar situation occurred between Trump and DeSantis, whose detente was arranged three months after DeSantis dropped out and endorsed Trump.
DeSantis has agreed to raise money for Trump but the extent of his involvement remains uncertain. He may not appear at joint fundraising events with Trump or join him on the campaign trail soon. DeSantis plans to open a state fundraising committee in Florida to raise money for his own political interests. Trump’s adviser believes DeSantis can encourage his donors to support Trump’s campaign. While DeSantis may not campaign heavily for Trump in Florida, his support could have an impact in other key states. Haley, on the other hand, has strong support in Michigan and Wisconsin, making her voters crucial for Trump’s success.
In conclusion, Trump has gained support from former rivals in his White House bid, but Nikki Haley remains a holdout. The lingering friction between them could impact the fall election, with concerns raised about Trump’s lack of outreach to Haley voters. President Biden’s campaign is targeting Haley supporters in crucial battleground areas to unite against Trump. DeSantis has agreed to help raise money for Trump but the extent of his involvement remains uncertain. Haley’s voters could be crucial for Trump’s success, making her support valuable in key states. Ultimately, the relationship between Trump and former rivals like Haley could shape the outcome of the election.
