How conservatives are reacting to Nikki Haley's resignation

Nikki Haley.
(Image credit: OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP/Getty Images)

Nikki Haley's unexpected resignation as U.N. ambassador Tuesday was seen as a crushing blow to many conservatives — and a moment of victory for others.

For conservatives who never fully got on board with the Trump presidency, Haley was seen as a crucial voice of reason inside the administration, and even many Republicans who backed President Trump with no reservations had great respect for her. Members of these camps were devastated by Haley's departure, with conservative columnist Noah Rothman tweeting one word: "Crushing." The Daily Wire's Ben Shapiro reacted to the news by writing a long, protracted "Noooooooooooooooo," while his colleague Kassy Dillon posted, "This better not be real" and then "NIKKI NOOO." Conservative columnist Seth Mandel wrote, "I don't accept Nikki Haley's resignation."

Some hardcore Trump supporters, though, immediately celebrated Haley's resignation, with writer Ryan James Girdusky saying that she "didn't believe in the MAGA agenda at all ... good riddance" and Ann Coulter tweeting, "The average I.Q. of Trump's Cabinet went up 10 points today."

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A poll earlier this year showed that 75 percent of Republicans approve of Haley, as do 55 percent of Democrats, per CNN. Despite speculation that Haley was leaving in order to launch a 2020 presidential bid, she told reporters Tuesday that she's not running and will campaign for Trump's re-election. But not all conservatives buy her story, with The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol writing, "something is up."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.