No to Nikki: Trump shoots down rumors Haley on VP short list

Shortly after Axios published a report quoting sources that Nikki Haley was under "active consideration" by the Trump campaign to be his running mate, Donald Trump knocked it down.

"Nikki Haley is not under consideration for the V.P. slot, but I wish her well!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Axios says that the sources told them that “Trump could pick Haley if he were convinced she'd help him win the presidency, avoid a potential prison sentence and cover tens of millions in legal bills if he loses.”

Axios sought a response, but both parties declined to comment. The speculation was credible, Axios argued, because there was a case to be made that it could benefit both parties.

For Trump, it could help him attract the college-educated Republicans who voted for her even after she dropped out of the race. Just this past Tuesday, she got more than 20% of the primary vote in Indiana, though Democrats and independents could vote in that primary.

For Haley, though she still hasn’t endorsed Trump even though she suspended her campaign on March 6, the day after Super Tuesday, she could benefit as his running mate by not being blamed if Trump loses in November and by remaining viable to run again in 2028.