After its newsmaking town hall event with former President Donald Trump, CNN has announced plans for an event with Republican hopeful Nikki Haley.
Moderated by Jake Tapper, the former South Carolina Governor will take questions from Iowa Republicans and voters at large on Sunday, June 4th at 8:00 PM.
The network is saying it is the second in a “robust slate of Republican Presidential Town Halls produced as part of the network’s expansive coverage of the 2024 election” with more town halls announced in the coming weeks.
In a growing Republican field, Haley is currently in fourth place behind former Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence, who is yet to officially launch a campaign. According to FiveThirtyEight.com, Haley is garnering 4.2% of support from prospective Republican voters.
Haley was the subject of much strife at CNN after former morning anchor Don Lemon said she was “past her prime” after announcing her bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He was subsequently suspended from CNN This Morning and directed to undergo “formal training” after his comments. He was ultimately fired by the network.
The situation was not the only time Haley has had a contentious relationship with a CNN talent. In 2021, she took issue with an encapsulation from anchor Briana Keilar for saying Haley was “whitewashing” the history of race relations in the United States. Haley is the daughter of Indian immigrants.
“Well, it sounds like I hit a nerve,” Haley said at the time. “Secondly, it’s amazing to me how the liberal media can’t stand it when someone Black or brown happens to talk about the fact that America is the best country in the world.”
