Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said that she “absolutely” trusts the jury’s verdict after former President Donald Trump was ordered to pay E. Jean Carroll more than $83 million for defaming Carroll in 2019.
Nikki Haley on the E. Jean Carroll case:
"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 [Trump] off the ballot. I think the American people will take him off the ballot." pic.twitter.com/sdXHuNWRL3
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 28, 2024
“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,” Haley said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
While Haley stopped short of saying that she wanted Trump taken off the ballot, one of the show’s hosts pressed Haley on that later in the interview. Host Kristen Welker asked Haley specifically if she thinks Trump should be disqualified based on the ruling.
“I don’t think he should be taken off the ballot. I think the American people will decide if he’s disqualifying or not. We don’t do that, Kristen, in America,” Haley responded. “Anybody that wants to run can run. And I think that’s really important. We have seen a lot of people try and infringe on our freedoms and our democracy.”
Trump has been leading in the GOP primary polls since they came out last year, and Haley is the only candidate standing between him and a rematch with President Joe Biden.
The most recent 538 poll has Trump with 70.7% of the vote compared to just 14.5% for Haley which means something extraordinary would have to happen for Trump to not get the nomination. Haley is hoping that this ruling along with some of Trump’s other court cases could be what she needs to compete.
“Donald Trump wants to be the presumptive Republican nominee and we’re talking about $83.3 million in damages,” Haley tweeted. “We’re not talking about fixing the border. We’re not talking about tackling inflation. America can do better than Donald Trump and Joe Biden.”
“Absolutely ridiculous! I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights.”
Even with all of the court cases Trump is facing and the recent ruling in the defamation case with Carroll, Trump’s political momentum continues to grow with most people expecting him to win the Republican nomination.
