NBC News’ Kristen Welker probed Nikki Haley on her commitment to the Republican National Committee’s “loyalty pledge” endorsing Donald Trump as the GOP’s presidential nominee. RNC’s former chair, Ronna McDaniels, initially mandated this pledge for debate stage access but has since resigned.
Welker, noting Haley’s critical stance towards Trump, questioned whether endorsing him was still an option. Haley downplayed the idea of endorsements, emphasizing the perceived loss associated with them. Welker persisted, asking if Haley remained bound by the RNC pledge, considering her serious concerns about Trump and increased concerns about Joe Biden.
Haley clarified that the RNC has evolved since the debate stage pledge, suggesting a shift in dynamics. Welker probed further, asking if Haley was no longer bound by the pledge. Haley asserted her intention to make decisions independently, not focusing on the pledge.
Welker attempted to extract clarity on Haley’s inclination towards endorsing Trump, but Haley insisted that she wasn’t contemplating such decisions. She emphasized her focus on the broader issues, steering away from discussions about Trump. Finally, Haley asserted her candidacy was not rooted in an anti-Trump sentiment but rather in her vision for a positive direction for America, emphasizing safety, health, economic freedom, and overall government responsiveness to citizens’ needs.
HALEY: First of all, if you talk about an endorsement, you’re talking about a loss. I don’t think like that.
WELKER: Let me try it this way: you did sign a pledge, an RNC pledge, to support the eventual nominee. Do you still feel bound by that pledge?
HALEY: “I have always said that I have serious concerns about Donald Trump. I have even more concerns about Joe Biden.”
WELKER: So, is that a No? Are you bound by the RNC pledge?
HALEY: The RNC pledge, I mean, at the time of the debate, we had to take it to, “Would you support the nominee?” And you had to. In order to get on that debate stage, you said yes. The RNC now is not the same RNC. Now it’s —
WELKER: So, you’re no longer bound by the pledge?
HALEY: No, I think I’ll make what decision I make, but that’s not something I’m thinking about…
WELKER: It sounds like what you’re saying is that you’re leaning against endorsing Donald Trump. Can you just put a little bit of clarity? Are you leaning against endorsing Donald Trump at this point?”
HALEY: I truly am not thinking about any of that. And, you know, I mean, look —
WELKER: You’re not taking it off the table?
