[21][22] Haley hired influential political strategist Tim Chapman as the group's executive director, which some believed indicated she was gearing up for a presidential campaign.

"[31][32] In November, Haley attended an event at Clemson University, during which she confirmed she would use the holiday season to make a decision on launching a campaign: "If we decide to get into it, we'll put 1,000 percent in, and we'll finish it.

Filmed in her hometown of Bamberg, South Carolina, Haley spoke of her Indian heritage, race relations, global human rights violations, her tenure as governor and ambassador, and the threats facing the United States before announcing her run.

[58][59] Ron DeSantis, Florida's governor who would later enter the presidential race, declined to attend CPAC in favor of the club's event.

[62][63][64] On April 26, Haley went on Fox News, stating, "I think we can all be very clear and say with a matter of fact that if you vote for Joe Biden, you really are counting on a President [Kamala] Harris because the idea that he would make until 86 years old is not something that I think is likely.

"[65] White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates noted the comment: "As you know, we don't directly respond to campaigns from here.

"[66] On June 3, Haley spoke at the annual Roast and Ride fundraiser hosted by Senator Joni Ernst, where she called for "a new generational leader".

[71] On December 8, Haley addressed a convention center conference where she stated her campaign had momentum and needed "to have a good showing in Iowa.

In a Fox & Friends interview, Haley said her campaign was satisfied with its "strong showing" in Iowa after initially having over a dozen competitors and 2 percent support in polling.

"[75] The New Republic called Haley's answer "unclear" and wrote that her "confusing argument is undercut by the fact that she herself acknowledges that not all people were treated equally under the Constitution when it was first written.

[84] In response, Ken Farnaso, Haley's campaign press secretary, said, "We reported $11 million, the sum of entities ..." and mentioned that other candidates "have multiple fundraising vehicles".

[83] A CNBC analysis of the first quarter FEC filings also revealed that the Haley campaign had received donations from notable billionaires and executives, including Harold Hamm, Aryeh Bourkoff, and Jim Davis.

[87] On January 24, in a Truth Social post, Trump warned Haley donors from supporting him: "Anybody that makes a 'Contribution' to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp.

"[89] Haley faced scrutiny on the campaign trail from Republicans over her alleged affiliations with left-leaning "dark money" organizations, particularly Arabella Advisors, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm that manages nonprofit groups and was founded by ex-Clinton administration appointee Eric Kessler.

"[91][92][93] In a January 20 speech in New Hampshire before the primary, Trump called Arabella Advisors "public enemy number one" and criticized the Haley campaign for hiring Clark.

[100] The comments by Haley and Tim Scott were seen by Politico to serve "as a sign the tide could be turning in the Republican presidential primary field's willingness to go on offense against the former president.

"[102] In September, Haley said Americans would not vote for "a convicted criminal" and that she would "support the Republican nominee always, and I will make sure that that person, we're going to pick someone that's going to beat a President Kamala Harris.

Haley spokesperson Nachama Soloveichik responded, "If Trump feels so strongly about his false attacks, he should stop hiding and defend them on the debate stage in Des Moines.

"[106] In a CNN interview after the Iowa caucus, Haley said that while she had not looked into E. Jean Carroll's case against Trump, if the latter was "found guilty, then he needs to pay the price.

Animals would never allow the dumbest ones to lead the pack" (sic)[109] It has been suggested by some commentators that Haley's presidential campaign was an effort to bolster her chances of being Trump's running mate in the general election if he became the party's nominee.

"[115] Although many had expected Governor Ron DeSantis to be the strongest challenger to Donald Trump, it was Nikki Haley who lasted longest in the 2024 Republican primary race.

[124][better source needed] In an article following her announcement, The New York Times described Haley as a "darling of neoconservatives and a defender of Reagan's continued relevance".

[125] On February 1, Haley stated that "The last thing I think we need to be worried about is who Taylor Swift is dating and what conspiracy theory is gonna have her endorsing a person for president.

In a February 2023 interview, she pointed to a proposal from Senator Lindsey Graham that would establish a national 15-week abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest, health, and life of the mother.

[127][128] In May 2023, Haley clarified her position and said she would not support a federal abortion ban as it is unlikely to pass Congress and would "not be honest to the American people".

[132] Haley has taken a strong stance against alleged Chinese influence in domestic and international affairs, calling China the top threat to the United States.

[134] In an opinion article published in the New York Post on February 24, 2023, Haley vowed to "cut every cent in foreign aid for countries that hate [the United States]".

[159] Her performance was widely praised,[160][161] with Christian Paz of Vox writing that Haley "stands out as the candidate who stood her ground, cracked enough jokes, and confronted Ramaswamy just as it was needed.

[164] A post-debate poll, conducted by JL Partners, asked registered Republican voters who possessed the best debate performance, and Haley received 7%.

Vox named Haley the debate's winner, reasoning that although she was trailing Trump in national polls, she just "needed to avoid a damaging gaffe or embarrassing moment, and she did that.