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After the sudden announcement that she would be leaving her post at the end of the year, UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and President Donald Trump held a joint announcement where the two heaped piles of praise on each other.
The president said:
"She's done a fantastic job and we've done a fantastic job together. We've solved a lot of problems and we're in the process of solving a lot of problems."
Haley said:
"No, I’m not running for 2020. I can promise you what I’ll be doing is campaigning for [Donald Trump]. So I look forward to supporting the president in the next election."
In an administration fraught with ceaseless resignations and firings—many less than amicable—it was relatively rare to see the President accept a resignation without making an enemy afterwards.
But amidst the praise for the president, Haley was also quick to praise someone else as well: Trump adviser and son in law, Jared Kushner.
"Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands. I mean, to redo the nafta deal the way he did, what I’ve done working with him on the Middle East peace plan, it’s so unbelievably well done."
Jared Kushner has quite the reputation (complete with an SNL impersonation by Jimmy Fallon), but many found Haley's suggestion that Kushner is a genius laughable.
"Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands" --what a very kind 3rd grade teacher writes about the kid who eats paste— Mark Harris (@Mark Harris) 1539126027.0
It's not hidden: Jared Kushner is a genius at nepotism. And everyone understands. https://t.co/fCcmLJY9VC— Andrew Stroehlein (@Andrew Stroehlein) 1539098408.0
@liamstack hidden genius that no one understands https://t.co/esWbYai1Gl— Ben Philippe (@Ben Philippe) 1539098440.0
Nikki calls Jared a "hidden genius". Real hidden. So hidden you'd think it doesn't exist (it doesn't).— SKIRT (@SKIRT) 1539097641.0
Jared Kushner is a hidden genius if being a genius is less about finding ways to make the world a better place and… https://t.co/mqYdvzHQLk— Nick Jack Pap-pass the Gravy (@Nick Jack Pap-pass the Gravy) 1539122200.0
The praise may generate laughs now, but according to some theories, it could spell something much more foreboding.
Some are speculating as to why Ambassador Haley was so forthcoming with her praise of Kushner and his wife and fellow presidential adviser Ivanka Trump. Many think it has to do with who will be Haley's replacement.
@McFaul @BluewaveMaw @nikkihaley cuz Jared Kushner is going to be appointed the next UN Ambassador.— 𝓢𝓶𝓪𝓵𝓵1𝓛𝓭𝔂 "Just The Facts Ma'am" (@𝓢𝓶𝓪𝓵𝓵1𝓛𝓭𝔂 "Just The Facts Ma'am") 1539104047.0
Is @nikkihaley ‘s praise of @jaredkushner a hint as to her replacement?— Francine E.C. Shannon (@Francine E.C. Shannon) 1539098078.0
@McFaul @nikkihaley Ambassador to Israel. sessions fired, Graham in his places, Haley senator of SC and Ivanka amb… https://t.co/X4oW2jUjPE— medproretired (@medproretired) 1539102672.0
Calling it now - Kushner’s gonna be named as Nikki Haley’s replacement— Dani (@Dani) 1539176578.0
Nikki Haley just gave Trump ample "cover" to name Jared Kushner as her replacement. I respect the utter lack of subtlety.— Thornton McEnery (@Thornton McEnery) 1539097762.0
@McFaul @nikkihaley Because he’s about to get her post so he and Ivanka can move back to NYC.— Tom Cordent 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Tom Cordent 🇺🇸🇺🇸) 1539102599.0
Though Donald Trump said no one in the world would be more qualified than his daughter Ivanka for UN ambassador, she insists she's not in the running. Rumors continued to swirl as to what the meaning of the notable resignation may mean, with Congressman Mark Sanford (R-SC) saying, "something doesn't smell right."
It's unlikely that the White House will name Haley's replacement before the end of the year when she officially leaves the capacity of UN Ambassador, but it doesn't take a genius—however hidden—to know that Trump likes keeping family even closer than his enemies.