MSNBC DAILY

Understand today's news with Jen Psaki

Saturday, May 25, 2024

As the MAGA veepstakes heat up this spring, it's clear that Republican contenders are vying for the title of best political contortionist.

Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina jumped out to an early lead after his painfully evasive interview on "Meet the Press" earlier this month. When pressed on the very simple question of whether or not he would accept the results of the 2024 presidential election, Scott refused to answer yes or no. Instead, he repeated the assertion that Donald Trump will win before awkwardly adding, "that is my statement."

Then there was Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, one of the more surprising top contenders to be Trump's running mate, who also refused to say whether he'd accept the results of the election. Rubio then proceeded to one-up Scott with his baseless claim that Democrats are to blame for election denialism.

But just as former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley engineered a last-minute surge during the Republican primary race, she has somehow outdone them both.

Just months after saying Trump is "unhinged" and "not qualified to be the president of the United States," Haley announced on Wednesday that she would still be voting for the former president.

In her explanation, Haley borrowed the Bill Barr approach, arguing President Joe Biden is a greater threat than Trump and indeed been "a catastrophe."

Just to unpack that a bit, Haley is suggesting that Biden's policies are a bigger threat than the guy who — in the same week as her endorsement — shared a video touting he will bring a "unified Reich" if he wins in November, likening the United States to pre-1945 Germany.

She must really be worried about her gas stove getting taken away. I'm kidding, of course. The reality is that Haley is young, ambitious and knows she needs Trump's base on her side if she wants to run for office again. So at the end of the day, this is just another stop in her MAGA comeback tour after temporarily showing that maybe she had a spine.

Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here. And tune into "Inside with Jen Psaki" Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, and Sundays at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC.

TOP STORIES

CHARLIE SYKES

This Truth Social boast tells us everything we need to know about Trump's true character

Donald Trump seems to view the plight of this American hostage as just another opportunity to score political points. Read more.

FLA. STATE SEN. SHEVRIN JONES

Tennis champion Coco Gauff joins the chorus of voices calling out Gov. Ron DeSantis

"As a state senator who represents Florida's largest majority-Black city, I applaud Gauff for calling out the state's open hostility toward Black Americans," Jones wrote. Read more.

CLARISSA-JAN LIM

John Cornyn comes to Alito's defense over the flags at his homes

Amid outrage over the flags with Jan. 6 associations, Cornyn said Dems are "determined to harass members of the Supreme Court." Read more.

DANIELLE CAMPOAMOR

Travis Kelce finally addressed the Harrison Butker controversy. He should have stayed quiet.

Butker's commencement address was not calling for free expression or a polite and productive exchange of diverse perspectives. Read more.

TOP VIDEOS

ALEX WAGNER TONIGHT

Jack Smith asks judge to bar Trump from making statements that endanger law enforcement

WATCH NOW

BRIAN TYLER COHEN

Mike Johnson hit with the question he's dreaded

WATCH NOW

ANA CABRERA REPORTS

ICJ orders Israel to halt Rafah military offensive

WATCH NOW

THE REIDOUT

Rep. Jasmine Crockett on 'B6' clapback: MTG's GOP colleagues are secretly 'patting me on my back'

WATCH NOW

This weekend on MSNBC

SATURDAY

MSNBC's "The Weekend" at 8am ET: Lanny Davis
MSNBC's "The Katie Phang Show" at 12pm ET: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.)…. Elie Ting Mystal… George Conway

SUNDAY

MSNBC's "The Weekend" at 8am ET: DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison… Biden re-election campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu
MSNBC's "The Sunday Show" at 6pm ET: Oregon State. Rep. Janelle Bynum… Jon Meacham… Mini Timmaraju

*Subject to change