Republican Sen. Rand Paul has not announced who he will back in this year’s GOP presidential primary race, even with the Iowa caucuses just days away.
In fact, Paul might not end up supporting a Republican at all, he posted Friday morning on the social media platform X.
But the 61-year-old did announce one candidate he absolutely will not support — former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
“I’ve been watching the GOP Primary closely for a while now, and I like various aspects of several candidates – Republicans like President @realDonaldTrump, Governor @RonDeSantis, and @VivekGRamaswamy,” Paul posted.
I’ve been watching the GOP Primary closely for a while now, and I like various aspects of several candidates – Republicans like President @realDonaldTrump, Governor @RonDeSantis, and @VivekGRamaswamy.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024
He added that he also sees some merit in independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr., who shares his skepticism about how the COVID-19 pandemic was handled.
“I’m interested in the ideas of some independents too, such as @RobertKennedyJr,” Paul posted.
I’m interested in the ideas of some independents too, such as @RobertKennedyJr.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024
The Kentucky Republican then took shots at Haley in 22 separate posts and described himself as “NeverNikki.”
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“I don’t think any knowledgeable or informed libertarian or conservative should support Nikki Haley. I’ve seen her attitude towards our interventions overseas. I’ve seen her involvement in the military-industrial complex,” he said in a video post.
As I look over the field, I don’t think I yet have a first choice, but I do know one thing: count me in as #NeverNikki! pic.twitter.com/0RjbBhnwdc
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024
“But I’ve also seen her indicate that she thinks you should be registered to use the internet,” the senator added, declaring that online anonymity must be protected.
In subsequent posts, Paul shared a website he launched — NeverNikki.net — and ripped into the former U.N. ambassador as a warmonger and profiteer.
Go to https://t.co/rwxbUMKKBh today so we can let her and everyone else know she doesn’t have your support. If you’re unsure, keep reading and following.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024
Her thirst for war is so strong she actually said: “I’m sick of talking about a Department of Defense. I want a Department of Offense.” #NeverNikki
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024
.@NikkiHaley believes in nearly unlimited foreign aid — we have sent over $100 BILLION we don’t have to Ukraine already and she wants more. But this also isn’t new.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024
But @NikkiHaley’s “generosity” with your tax dollars and her support for all foreign aid in the context of a $34 TRILLION dollar debt is in no way libertarian or conservative. https://t.co/iA3zylD8Vg
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 12, 2024
On the NeverNikki website, Paul says, “As I look over the field, I don’t think I yet have a first choice, but I do know one thing: count me in as Never Nikki.”
The senator’s anti-endorsement of Haley had been reposted more than 4,000 times and received 18,000 “likes” before noon ET Friday.
