Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations who was excluded from President-elect Donald Trump's second-term administration appointments, stated, "I have absolutely no interest in being part of the Trump cabinet." She also criticized Trump, who is making appointments based on loyalty, saying, "He needs to surround himself with people who will tell him the truth."
On the 14th (local time), Haley said on the Sirius XM radio show, "He (Trump) knows that (I have no interest)." Earlier, Trump had unusually singled out Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to officially exclude them from his second-term administration appointments.
Haley served in the first Trump administration but later competed against former President Trump until the end in the Republican presidential primary. Supported by the anti-Trump faction within the Republican Party, she did not express support for Trump immediately after withdrawing from the race but only declared her support in April this year. During the final stages of the election, when the polls showed a close race, she said, "I am ready to help Trump," but according to Politico, she neither appeared at large rallies nor actively urged support for Trump.
On this day, Haley also shared a story about Steve Witkoff, a close aide to Trump and appointed Middle East envoy for the second-term administration, visiting her home in South Carolina shortly after the election. She said, "Witkoff wanted a truce (between Trump and me)," and she responded, "There was no need for a truce. Trump had my support. There was no problem on my side." Witkoff then asked Haley what she wanted, and she replied, "I want nothing."
Haley also revealed a conversation with Howard Lutnick, who is leading the cabinet appointments as co-chair of the transition team in the Trump cabinet. She pointed out about Trump, "He needs to surround himself with people who will tell him the truth." This was a criticism of Trump, who is forming a cabinet centered on yes-men based on loyalty.
Local media noted that after Trump publicly posted about excluding Haley, she responded on social media, saying, "I was proud to serve America at the UN with Trump," but her remarks on this day were a different version. It was a more direct expression of displeasure.
Haley said, "Do I take it personally? No. He (Trump) is that kind of person." She added, "Sometimes he can be shallow. I think he showed that. I don't need to be shallow. I am very satisfied with where I am, and I accept everything that has happened to me."
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