Nikki Haley Tells Fox that Trump and Vance Should Change How They Speak About Women

Speaking to “Fox & Friends,” Nikki Haley admonished former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance for their rhetoric towards women, urging a shift to policy-focused discussions.

At a Glance

• Nikki Haley criticized Trump and Vance over their comments about women, calling for a focus on policy.
• Haley labeled personal attacks as counterproductive and damaging to Republican women.
• She asserted that Trump’s behavior alienates female voters despite her endorsement of his policies.
• Haley’s remarks have yet to elicit a response from Trump’s campaign.

Criticism of Rhetoric

During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina, called out former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance for what she believes is harmful rhetoric towards women. 

Haley emphasized that derogatory statements, such as labeling Vice President Kamala Harris as “dumb,” are counterproductive. She urged a focus on policy issues instead.

“You don’t need to call Kamala dumb. She didn’t get this far, you know, just by accident. … She’s a prosecutor. You don’t need to go and talk about intelligence or looks or anything else. Just focus on the policies,” Haley said. 

Haley has been outspoken about the implications of such rhetoric. According to her, attacking a woman’s intelligence or looks detracts from substantial policy discussions that could engage more voters, particularly women. This stance diverges from the incendiary comments often made by Trump and Vance, which have included calling Harris “not smart enough” and “dumb.”

Throughout the interview, Haley highlighted that the Republican Party can win on policy issues alone and should avoid personal attacks that can alienate voters. She believes that even Republican women find the negative discourse off-putting. Haley’s comments reflect a broader challenge the GOP faces in attracting and retaining female voters.

“Now, do I agree with his style? Do I agree with his approach? Do I agree with his communications? No,” Haley said. “When I look at the policies and how they affect my family and how I think they’re going to affect the country, that’s where I go back and I look at the differences. I mean this is — these are the candidates we have been given.” 

Despite her criticisms, Haley has expressed unwavering support for Trump’s policies, while still having reservations about his communication style and ongoing legal battles. She pointed out that such issues are not beneficial to the country’s image or security.