“Time for a generational change”: the former US ambassador to the UN announces her candidacy video – and thus becomes the opponent of her former boss Donald Trump.
Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, making her the first prominent challenger for former US President Donald Trump. It’s time for a new generation of leaders, the Republican said on video this Tuesday morning (local time). The 51-year-old woman now has to assert herself in the party’s primaries against Trump, who has already announced his candidacy.
The Republican was ambassador to the United Nations during Trump’s term, from January 2017 to the end of 2018 – and from 2011 to 2017 as the first female governor of South Carolina. As an ambassador, Haley also championed Trump’s UN policy, which many diplomats viewed critically. However, Haley has gained respect across party lines. The arch-conservative politician has repeatedly been traded for higher office. After her time at the UN, the daughter of Indian immigrants briefly served on the Board of Directors of aircraft manufacturer Boeing as a member of the Board of Directors.
The relationship between Trump and Haley is divided. In the primaries for the 2016 presidential election, she initially campaigned for Trump’s Republican opponent Marco Rubio. After the election, Haley, however, joined Trump’s team and the two repeatedly publicly praised each other. In fact, Haley had stated that she didn’t want to run for the White House against the 76-year-old if he was going to compete. Trump announced his candidacy in November.
Waiting for DeSantis and Pence
More prominent Republicans are expected to throw their hats in the ring in the coming months, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former US Vice President Mike Pence. So far, Haley hasn’t fared well in the polls compared to her potential Republican opponents — her scores are in the single digits.
For Democrats, US President Joe Biden has so far declared his general intention to run again. However, he has yet to announce an official candidacy.
Haley is one of the few women to declare her Republican nomination for president in recent years. In fact, her announcement was expected at a speech in Charleston on Wednesday. The event will likely be his first official appearance in the campaign. In her now-released video, she warned that China and Russia were on the rise and believed the US could be bullied and pressured. Haley made it clear that she didn’t want to put up with anything. “And when you take a step back, it hurts more if you wear heels.”
(Portal)