Failed presidential candidate and neocon Nikki Haley has found herself out in the cold after President-elect Donald Trump made it clear that she won’t be part of his second administration. Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to announce that both Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo won’t be making the cut this time around.
“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” Trump wrote. “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Haley’s response? A typical political deflection. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote, “I was proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations. I wish him, and all who serve, great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years.” It’s a polite statement, but it’s hard to ignore the subtext—this is the end of the road for her dreams of a top role in Trump’s administration.
Haley’s strained relationship with Trump and his base has been a recurring theme ever since she threw her hat into the ring for the 2024 presidential race. Despite working as Trump’s U.N. ambassador and vocally supporting his foreign policy at the time, Haley spent much of her campaign attacking Trump, calling him “unfit for office.” That stance didn’t do her any favors with Trump’s supporters, who view Haley as a relic of the establishment’s hawkish, interventionist wing—the same kind of politics that lost favor among Republicans after the John McCain and Mitt Romney eras.
In May, it seemed like there might be a chance for reconciliation. Trump mentioned that Haley could “be on our team in some form,” acknowledging her capability despite their contentious campaign. Haley, for her part, signaled that she wanted a role in the administration, ultimately conceding that she would vote for Trump. But the olive branch never really took, and it appears Trump has opted to leave her on the sidelines.
Haley’s unpopularity with Trump’s base isn’t just about her recent attacks. Many see her as emblematic of the neoconservative policies they’ve rejected—pro-war, pro-globalist, and out of touch with the America First agenda. Her post-Trump career hasn’t helped her case, either. After leaving her U.N. role, Haley joined Boeing’s board of directors and reportedly boosted her net worth from less than $1 million to $8 million in just a few years. She later bought a $2.4 million waterfront mansion on Kiawah Island, raising questions about who she’s really serving.
For Trump’s supporters, this move is a signal that he’s staying true to his populist roots, shutting the door on establishment figures who are out of sync with the movement’s priorities. And for Nikki Haley? It looks like it’s back to the private sector—if she can find her way there.
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