"Rival" Haley: "Strong Support for Trump... No Need for 100% Agreement"

"Donald Trump is someone I strongly support." (Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations)

Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and a former primary rival of ex-President Donald Trump, stated on the second day of the Republican National Convention on the 16th (local time) at the Milwaukee venue in Wisconsin, "We must go with former President Trump for our country."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

That day, the convention focused on crime, immigration policy, and other issues under the theme "Make America Safe Once Again." Notably, the prime-time speaker lineup included many former rivals who had strongly criticized former President Trump, drawing attention.

After former President Trump entered the convention venue, Nikki Haley took the stage around 8:30 p.m. and said, "Former President Trump asked me to speak for unity," adding, "Let me be clear first. Donald Trump is someone I strongly support."

Haley acknowledged that, as she had experienced, not all Americans always agree with former President Trump. She said, "You don't have to agree 100% to vote for former President Trump," adding, "I have not always agreed with him, but I have agreed on many things. We agree on keeping America strong and safe. We agree that the Democrats have shifted too far left, putting our freedoms at risk."

She also emphasized, "The reason we are gathered here is because we must save the country," and stressed, "To save the country, a united Republican Party is essential."

Haley, who had stayed in the primary race until the end, was initially not even invited to the convention due to being on the 'bad side' of the Trump camp. However, she was included as a speaker after the shooting incident on the 13th. The Republican Party judged that the shooting incident necessitated strengthening unity and cohesion within the party, leading to Haley's addition as a speaker.

She also addressed the TV debate that fueled calls for Democratic President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race. Haley said, "After watching the debate, we all realized it was true," and claimed, "If President Biden works for another four years, or if Kamala Harris stays even one day longer, our country will be much worse off." She further criticized the Biden administration by naming border security as the greatest threat facing Americans, stating, "Thousands of illegal immigrants enter our country every day. We have no idea who they are, where they are going, or what they will do."

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Before Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Senator Ted Cruz, a 2016 primary competitor, took the stage. Immediately after Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, considered a presidential contender, gave a speech. Earlier, former President Trump, who was shot during the campaign, appeared at the venue around 8 p.m. with a bandage on his ear, listening intently to speeches by Senator Cruz, former Ambassador Haley, and Governor DeSantis. When they expressed strong support, he smiled or stood up to applaud.

CNN reported that former President Trump and vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance will attend the convention every night until the final day. J.D. Vance will take the stage the next day for an official speech. Former President Trump will deliver his acceptance speech on the final night, the 18th. The two plan to hold their first joint campaign rally this weekend in Michigan after the convention.