Nikki Haley, a prominent Republican presidential contender, found herself embroiled in controversy after wearing an off-white gown to her daughter’s wedding ceremony.
Haley, who announced her bid for the White House in February 2024, shared a photo of the special day on her social media, featuring her husband Michael, son Nalin, daughter Rena, and new son-in-law Josh Jackson.
As parents you pray your children will find that special someone to go through life with.
The day is here and we couldn’t be more excited for our daughter and future son. As we start this special day, our hearts are full knowing this is the day the Lord has made….❤️🙌🏽… pic.twitter.com/PGOBzwqhI8
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) April 15, 2023
While many congratulated Haley and her family on the joyous occasion, some eagle-eyed observers were quick to criticize her choice of attire.
One Twitter user exclaimed, “Did the mother of the bride wear WHITE?”
Others chided Haley for potentially stealing the spotlight from her daughter, with one user accusing her of being “selfish” and always craving attention.
Another user questioned why Haley would wear an outfit that resembled a wedding dress to her own daughter’s wedding, while yet another found it “creepy” that she was photographed holding hands with the groom while wearing a dress that appeared bridal in nature.
See the dress below:
We had the sweetest weekend celebrating Rena and Josh. Thankful for our sweet family and friends who joined us in supporting and celebrating them. Rena and Josh, we could not be more proud of both of you! #AndThenThereWere5❤️#JourneyToJackson2023 pic.twitter.com/49UJKiXUft
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) April 16, 2023
Despite the backlash, there were also some positive comments about Haley’s dress. One Instagram user, Heather Nauert, complimented her as the “best mother of the bride” and asked where she had purchased her outfit. Another mother-of-the-bride-to-be inquired about the source of Haley’s dress, expressing admiration for its style.
Haley’s presidential campaign is currently considered a longshot, with former President Donald Trump being the leading favorite among the GOP nominees, followed by other contenders such as former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, though yet to formally announce his bid, is also seen as a strong contender to challenge Trump. Even South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who was appointed by Haley to the Senate in 2012, is reportedly considering a potential run for the White House.
Recent polling data indicates that Trump has the highest national support among Republican primary voters at 49.5%, followed by DeSantis at 25.7%, former Vice President Mike Pence at 5.8%, and Haley at 4.3%, according to Five Thirty Eight. Despite her criticisms of Trump, Haley has also referred to him as a “friend” and expressed pride in serving in his administration. However, recent analyses of polling data suggest that Trump remains largely unpopular among Americans overall, even as his support among Republican primary voters has increased since his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury.
As the controversy over her dress at her daughter’s wedding continues to make waves on social media, Haley remains focused on her presidential campaign, navigating the challenges of a competitive field of candidates vying for the Republican nomination.
Whether her fashion choice will have any lasting impact on her political aspirations remains to be seen, but for now, it has certainly sparked a heated debate among supporters and critics alike.
