The following is a transcript of an interview with Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan that aired on Sept. 8, 2024. Margaret Brennan begins by thanking Nikki Haley for making time for the interview. Nikki Haley expresses that it’s great to be there.
Margaret Brennan points out that they don’t hear from Nikki Haley often and mentions wanting to cover a lot of ground. Haley acknowledges this, stating she’s ready to discuss various topics. Brennan immediately brings up Haley’s previous campaign, noting that Haley had 97 delegates in the primaries and had endorsed Donald Trump and spoken at the convention. She asks if Haley plans to campaign for Trump. Haley responds that Trump knows she’s on standby and ready if needed, emphasizing the importance of the election and contrasting the Trump and Harris administrations based on various policy concerns, including cost of living, housing, immigration, national security, and energy policies.
Brennan follows up, seeking clarity on whether Haley has been asked to campaign or advise on debate preparations. Haley clarifies that although she’s expressed her support to Trump and his team, there has been no formal ask yet. However, she remains willing to assist if requested. Brennan shifts the focus to Trump’s recent press conference, which largely focused on grievances related to past legal issues. She questions if this is the best use of Trump’s time and what message it sends to female voters. Haley redirects the conversation to policy issues, indicating that while she doesn’t always agree with Trump’s style or communication, she believes his policies are more beneficial for the country, particularly in areas such as economy, national security, and energy.
Brennan counters by noting current high levels of oil production and employment. Haley acknowledges this but highlights her concerns about the high cost of living and inflation. She critiques past spending under the Biden-Harris administration, attributing inflation partly to policies like the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act. Brennan points out that spending under Trump also contributed to economic issues. Haley admits that Trump was not good on debt or spending but insists that the current administration’s actions have been more detrimental in terms of inflation.
Brennan moves the discussion to the cost of childcare, with Trump recently downplaying its expense despite Federal Reserve data showing significant costs for families. Haley calls childcare very expensive and points out that she worked just to afford childcare when her children were young. Brennan asks which parts of Trump’s policy on childcare Haley agrees with. Haley supports Trump’s tax cuts but emphasizes her preference for cutting middle-class taxes across the board rather than specific credits, arguing that families need more money overall to handle various expenses.
Brennan notes the growing gap in support among female voters, with Kamala Harris leading Trump by double digits according to recent surveys. She questions if certain comments by Trump and other Republicans hurt with female voters. Haley acknowledges that such comments are unhelpful and stresses the importance of focusing on policy substance over style. She encourages voters to examine the records of both the Trump and Harris administrations and make decisions based on how policies affect their lives.
Brennan raises the topic of the candidate’s foreign policy, specifically regarding Taiwan. Haley recounts her recent visit to Taiwan, describing the immense pressure and cyber threats Taiwanese people face from China. She emphasizes the importance of supporting Taiwan through joint military training, armament, and economic and diplomatic measures, without necessarily sending U.S. troops.
The conversation then addresses the greater geopolitical threat from China and the necessity of learning from Russia and China's actions to better prepare Taiwan. Haley argues that America needs to be a strong ally to Taiwan, economically, militarily, and diplomatically. She contrasts this with Trump’s previous comments about Taiwan owing the U.S. for defense, calling for a strong partnership instead of a transactional approach.
Brennan further questions how isolationist trends within the Republican Party are influenced by foreign disinformation campaigns. Haley points to ongoing efforts by Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea to divide Americans and create chaos through misinformation. She highlights the need for better national security measures to counter foreign influence, particularly on social media.
The interview concludes with Haley reiterating the importance of bipartisan fiscal responsibility, maintaining robust foreign alliances, and focusing on policies that benefit American households. Margaret Brennan thanks Nikki Haley for her time, and the interview ends.
