Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley delivered a scathing critique of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees on her podcast Nikki Haley Live, targeting Pete Hegseth, Matt Gaetz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard. Haley’s sharp words reflect growing Republican unease with some of Trump’s controversial picks.
Haley first addressed the challenges surrounding Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general, citing the ethical scandals tied to the former Florida congressman. “There’s gonna be a lot of issues getting Matt Gaetz confirmed as attorney general,” Haley said. “It’s hard to start a confirmation when you have allegations of illicit drug use and sex parties with minors.”
However, Haley reserved her most pointed criticisms for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard. Trump’s choice of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services sparked Haley’s frustration. She highlighted Kennedy’s lack of relevant experience for a role that oversees 25 percent of the federal budget and includes agencies like the FDA and NIH.
“He’s a liberal Democrat, environmental attorney, trial lawyer who will now be overseeing 25 percent of our federal budget and has no background in healthcare,” Haley said. “Some of you may think RFK is cool…He’s not a health guy.” She also criticized Kennedy’s history as a vocal environmental advocate, particularly against coal, which she implied conflicted with Republican priorities.
Turning to Gabbard, Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence, Haley expressed alarm over the former congresswoman’s suitability for overseeing the $100 billion annual intelligence budget. “This is a job for an honest broker,” said Haley, referencing Gabbard’s controversial stances on foreign policy.
Haley took issue with Gabbard’s opposition to sanctions on Iran and her claim that Trump had turned the U.S. into “Saudi Arabia’s prostitute.” But her strongest rebuke centered on Gabbard’s 2017 visit to Syria, where she met with President Bashar al-Assad. “She went to Syria in 2017 for a photo-op with Bashar al-Assad while he was massacring his own people,” Haley said.
“She said she was skeptical that he was behind the chemical weapons attacks. Now this to me is disgusting.” Haley’s fiery critique underscores divisions within the Republican Party as Trump prepares to return to power. Her comments signal a growing tension over the direction of the administration and its leadership choices.