Once upon a time, Nikki Haley, the former darling of the Republican Party, was all that stood in the way of Donald Trump’s stomping march through the primaries. Trump, with his incendiary style, was like an unstoppable blizzard sweeping through Iowa and wiping away the competition.
Although today it may seem like a forgotten chapter, Haley exhibited a remarkable resolve, an audacity that suggested deeply held principles. Despite the odds, she pressed on with her campaign through New Hampshire to her home state, South Carolina, capturing a noteworthy subset of Republicans who refused to align with Trump.
The big man himself couldn’t ignore her; she got under his skin. She dared to label him as “unhinged” and warned her staunch followers that devastation seemingly trailed in her ex-president’s wake. The names he threw at her, “Nimrata” and “Birdbrain,” didn’t faze her. Unlike her counterparts, Haley battled and found defeat on her own terms.
However, a turning point arrived on a Milwaukee night when she took the same stage as those Trump had callously trounced in what turned out to be a doomed primary. The grand events of the night had an eerily reminiscent air of Roman coliseums, with the tardy emperor entering to rapturous applause before settling in his royal box to relish the spectacle.
The entire evening was underpinned by a ‘Make America Safe’ agenda. This meant the spotlight was on topics like border security and the opioid epidemic that had decimated parts of the US, not to mention plenty of dancing to the country-rock tunes that had become a MAGA trademark. But above all, it was an evening where former Trump opponents and rivals pledged their allegiance, with Haley delivering possibly the most poignant tribute.
Even after her withdrawal from the race, tens of thousands of Republicans kept voting for Haley. Of all others, she had a substantial fan base. She was a late addition to the guest list and declared, amid tepid applause, that she had accepted the invite “in the name of unity”. However, if she had any future aspirations for a role on the national political stage, she knew she had little choice but to accept.
As she later said, despite perhaps some internal resistance, “It was a gracious invitation, and I was happy to accept. I’ll begin by making one thing perfectly clear. Donald Trump has my robust endorsement – full stop.”
The injury sustained by ex-president Trump in a failed assassination plot on Saturday was evident in his slightly subdued demeanour on Monday. He sported a noticeable bandage, triggering a wave of sympathy that seemed to contribute to his revitalised spirit later – smirking, gesturing, and expressing his appreciation to the continuous adulation received from the audience. It was undeniable that the large Milwaukee assembly admired Trump deeply.
“Nominating Joe Biden as President is tantamount to having Kamala Harris assume the same role,” stated Haley, a point she has been advocating for over a year. Her allusion to Harris taking the helm after the recent debate seemed to resonate with the crowd. She declared sternly that having Biden for another term or even a single day of a Harris administration would put the nation in a dire state. “Our nation’s interests lie with Trump,” she asserted.
However, Haley also conceded that not everyone in America agrees fully with Trump’s stance. “Amongst us tonight are many who may not always concur with the former President. To these Americans, I reiterate that voting for Trump does not mean total allegiance. I myself have disagreed with him on occasions. Yet the times we agree surpass those of discord. We are united in our desire to keep America safe and robust,” she asserted.
However, it seemed remarkably unrealistic to think that any of them, including Haley, could sway the unwavering support of Trump’s loyal Republican base. Her lack of Trump’s dominant charisma and stage persona was obvious. Although capable of delivering a succinct speech, the technique was missing and her communication style appeared more suited to a tolerant maths tutor explaining algebra to an exasperating set of students.
Haley’s remarks were captivating during her time in the frigid Midwest school halls and coffee shops primarily due to her public criticism and comments about Trump. In this new setting, she was reduced to another voice extolling praise within a sea of speakers.
Yet, amidst the hollow yet passionately presented vision of America by Vivek Ramaswamy, which earned him enthusiastic applause, Haley managed to provide an alternative outlook. It hinted at a possible second term for Trump, where his footprint in international policy could potentially continue to leave its mark.
The promotion of JD Vance to the position of vice-presidential candidate signals a potential shift towards isolationism. Vance has publicly stated his indifference towards the Ukrainian situation. As a Republican contender, Haley defended the importance of continued aid with conviction, drawing upon her time as Trump’s UN ambassador to advocate her stance.
Haley stated that for individuals harbouring reservations about President Trump, she wanted to share insights into the commander-in-chief she knew and with whom she worked closely. As the UN ambassador, she was privy to his national security tactics. She also highlighted the need to reincorporate those strategies. Drawing a comparison, she pointed out how Putin invaded Crimea under Obama’s watch and Ukraine under President Biden. During Trump’s tenure, Putin did not initiate any invasions or wars.
Haley firmly believes that a powerful president prevents wars rather than initiating them and added that during the Trump administration, Iran was deterred from starting wars due to Trump’s assertiveness.
Despite Haley’s seemingly strategic bid for a potential Secretary of State role in Trump’s cabinet, his reaction remained largely opaque. Trump listened attentively to Haley’s speech and gave applause at the pertinent points, yet his overall response remained detached and inscrutable.
Following Haley’s exit, Ron DeSantis, who had been on the receiving end of relentless taunts from Trump during the primary, took the stage. DeSantis, who Trump had dubbed ‘Ron DeSanctimonious’, was effusive in his commendation of Trump, claiming Florida as a “firmly Republican state”.
He, who once aspired for presiding over the Oval Office himself, announced, “The Democrat party lies in disarray, the left is on the back foot.” He further added that ushering in Trump as president would provide an opportunity to replicate this political landscape all over America. The Republicans present vocally supported and cheered for this vision, and Trump welcomed these gestures with a smile. He observed that all contrarians within the GOP had silenced their dissent, and speculated about when they might express dissent again.