Fact Check: Has Nikki Haley missed Indiana primary deadline?

Former President Donald Trump’s war of words with Nikki Haley, as both seek the Republican presidential nomination, has included threats toward her donors and accusing the former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor of being an “establishment candidate.”

Haley has responded in kind, challenging him to face her directly in debate and citing occasions during which Trump has made “confused” comments.

In a new attempt to embarrass his opponent, Trump told followers on Truth Social this week that Haley had not even managed to get her name in one of the upcoming state GOP primary contests.

The Claim

A post on Truth Social by Donald Trump, on January 31, 2024, said: “Nikki Haley is not on the Ballot in Indiana because she didn’t get enough Petition Signatures—She missed the deadline! If she’s not on in Indiana, she’s not a serious Candidate. ‘You can’t miss Indiana, and say you’re running for President,’ said future Senator of Indiana, Jim Banks.”

The Facts

Haley has not missed the deadline for the Indiana Republican presidential primary.

According to the Indiana Election Division, the deadline for submitting petition signatures to county voter registration officials for certifications was on Wednesday, with a further deadline of February 9 to submit declaration of candidacy.

“In Indiana, the deadline for May 2024 presidential primary election candidates to submit nomination petition [signature] forms to county clerk and voter registration offices was January 30th at noon, a spokesperson for the Indiana Secretary of State told Newsweek.

“On submission of petition forms, clerks and voter registration offices proceed to verify the voter registration status of petitioners and certify the forms for submission to the Indiana Election Division with a candidate’s formal declaration of candidacy by the filing deadline, which is Friday, February 9th at noon, Eastern Standard time.”

A spokesperson for Haley’s campaign referred to the post on X and told Newsweek that the petitions had been submitted.

“We’ll be on the ballot,” Haley’s spokesperson said. “We turned in more than double all the signatures required and they are being verified now as part of the process before the filing deadline on February 9.”

Haley appeared to address Trump’s claim on X, formerly Twitter, where she wrote: “Looks like Donald Trump is confused again… Another reason why he’s too afraid to debate me.”

Newsweek has contacted media representatives for Donald Trump via email for comment.

Haley, the last remaining major primary challenger to the ex-president, told Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum this week that Republicans would lose November’s election to President Joe Biden “if Donald Trump is the nominee” while insisting that she only has “to be competitive” to remain a candidate.

After MacCallum pointed out that “Trump is leading by a lot” in primary polls of key swing states, Haley argued that the former president “can’t win” independent voters, suburban women and “a lot of other Republicans.”

The Ruling

False.

Haley has not missed the deadline for the Indiana primary as Trump claimed. While there was a deadline to submit petitions for the Republican presidential primary on January 30, Haley’s campaign confirmed it had been met. Haley responded to Trump on social media, saying he was “confused.”

FACT CHECK BY Newsweek’s Fact Check team