Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville criticized former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for supporting Donald Trump on Sunday.
I can’t tell if she’s spineless or gutless, but it’s one or the other, Carville said during an appearance on MSNBC’s Inside With Jen Psaki.
Haley, who was once a strong critic of Trump but later endorsed him after dropping her 2024 presidential bid, appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” When asked if she would support the GOP nominee over Vice President Kamala Harris, Haley said it wasn’t even a question for her.
Carville expressed disbelief over her appearance, commenting on how Haley praised Taiwan, despite Trump previously indicating he wouldn’t defend it from China. He also criticized her comments about Afghanistan, questioning whether she had any courage at all.
Jen Psaki, a former White House press secretary under President Joe Biden, agreed with Carville, saying Haley hasn’t shown much courage lately.
When asked about Trump’s statement that Taiwan should pay the U.S. for protection from China, Haley disagreed, saying that’s not how things should work. During her CBS interview, she also shifted focus to policy when questioned about Trump’s involvement in E. Jean Carroll’s sexual assault case. Haley has previously stated that Trump is unfit to be president again, calling him unhinged and more diminished than in 2016.