In a recent appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley said she “absolutely” trusts the jury in E. Jean Carroll defamation case against former President Trump, but emphasized that the ruling should not disqualify Trump from the ballot.
“I absolutely trust the jury. And I think that they made their decision based on the evidence. I just don’t think that should take him off the ballot,” stated Haley during the interview.
She suggested that the American people should have the ultimate say in whether Trump remains a viable candidate, urging voters to decide his political fate rather than allowing him to play the victim. According to Haley, portraying Trump as a loser is the desired outcome.
“I think the American people will take him off the ballot. I think that’s the best way to go forward, is not let him play the victim. Let him play the loser. That’s what we want him to do at the end of the day,” Haley said.
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The jury had recently ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million for defaming Carroll in 2019. Despite the verdict, Haley argued against Trump’s removal from the ballot, asserting that the decision should rest with the voters.
Host Kristen Welker pressed Haley on whether the recent ruling should impact Trump’s eligibility in the race. Haley maintained that it’s the voters’ prerogative to make such a determination, emphasizing the importance of preserving democratic freedoms.
When questioned further about her stance, Haley clarified that she was not giving Trump a “pass” and criticized him over his age and a recent confusion where he mistook her for former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She asserted, “That’s exactly why we don’t need two people in their 80s running for president.”
“I’m not giving him a pass on anything. I mean, I have said— you know, he went on for three or four minutes talking about how I didn’t secure the Capitol on January 6th,” she replied. “I mean, clearly, he was confused, thinking that I was Nancy Pelosi. But, look, that’s exactly why we don’t need two people in their 80s running for president.”
"I absolutely trust the jury … I just don't think that should take him off the ballot" — Haley on Trump getting an $83 million judgment against him for defaming a woman he was found liable of sexually assaulting pic.twitter.com/QW71BWZeL1
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 28, 2024
Haley’s defense of the jury’s verdict drew criticism from the Trump campaign, with adviser Jason Miller declaring her political future as irreversibly damaged. Miller posted an article on social media describing Haley’s comments as a pivotal moment, asserting that she has crossed a political Rubicon and is now politically finished for the foreseeable future.
“There is no point of return. Haley is politically finished for ‘24, ‘28, forever,” Miller wrote.
