Former President Trump addressed whether he would consider having former presidential rival Nikki Haley join him on the campaign trail during a news conference in New Jersey. While Haley broke with Trump’s stance on IVF treatment, she expressed willingness to campaign for the Republican nominee, stating she is 'on standby.' Haley, the last GOP candidate to exit the race before Trump secured the nomination, mentioned on CBS's 'Face the Nation' that she had spoken with Trump in June, assuring him that she is prepared to assist if needed.
According to Haley, the stakes are high in the upcoming election with both major parties seeking re-election. Her main concerns include the rising cost of living and housing, a 20% increase in the cost of goods, immigration issues, national security threats, and energy policies. Haley explained that these pressing issues led her to support Trump and speak at the convention, emphasizing the stark differences between a prospective Trump administration and that of Kamala Harris.
Despite her readiness, Haley noted that Trump's team has not requested her to campaign or advise him for debates. However, she affirmed her support and willingness to help if asked. Haley disagreed with Trump’s recent proposal to mandate government or insurance companies to cover IVF treatment, comparing it to policies from Kamala Harris that aim to remove private health insurance. She argued against moving towards a socialist healthcare model, stressing that achieving accessible and affordable coverage should not involve mandates.
Haley, who has two children born via fertility treatment, advocated for making such options available through sensible regulations rather than mandates. Haley also highlighted the importance of substantive policy discussions over sound bites in this election, criticizing the focus on superficial comments. CBS polling indicates a significant lead for Vice President Harris among female voters since Biden stepped down, with Haley questioned on whether Trump’s choice of Sen. JD Vance as his running mate might exacerbate this divide.
Vance had previously made controversial remarks about the president of the American Federation of Teachers, which resurfaced and were deemed offensive to women. Haley acknowledged that such comments are not helpful but urged voters to focus on policy substance over style. She pointed out that policy issues like tax cuts, affordable housing, immigration, and national security are what truly matter. Haley called for Republicans to avoid divisive rhetoric and stick to discussing policies, reinforcing that Americans are intelligent and do not need distractions from substantive issues.
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital, reachable at [email protected] and on X: @danimwallace.
