During a Sunday interview, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley dodged questions about whether she would support former President Donald Trump if he becomes the Republican presidential nominee. She had previously pledged to back the eventual winner.

Amid escalating rhetoric between the two candidates and her criticism of Trump’s fitness for office, it is not surprising that she would refuse to give a straight answer to the question.

Haley’s comments came during a conversation on ABC News's “This Week” with host Jonathan Karl, who brought up the question:

You said earlier in this process that you will support Donald Trump if he wins the Republican nomination. But since you made that pledge, he has encouraged NATO. Russia said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell it wants with with a NATO ally. You have called him diminished, unhinged, unfit for office. Are you still making that pledge that you would actually support after all of that, Donald Trump for president of the United States, if he beats you for the Republican nomination?

Haley gave a reply, but her answer had nothing to do with Karl’s question:

I mean, keep in mind, I am running against him for a reason. I’m running against him because I don’t think he’s the right person at the right time. I don’t think he should be president. The last thing on my mind is who I’m going to support. The only thing on my mind is how we’re going to win this. The only thing on my mind is how we’re going to make sure that we correct what’s happening in America, and we bring this country back together, allow her to heal and move on in a strong way. I’m not thinking about who I’m going to support in an election.

When Karl pressed her on the matter, Haley deflected again, claiming that the United States is “going to have a female president of the United States” that would “either be me or it will be Kamala Harris.” She asserted that if Trump becomes the nominee, “he will not win.”

Karl tried again, asking if she would support Trump if he won the GOP nod. Again, Haley dodged.

That means I’m going to run and I’m going to win. And you all can talk about support later. Right now, you can ask him if he’s going to support me when I’m the nominee.

Nikki Haley after being asked if she would support Trump if he becomes the nominee:

"I’m running against him because I don’t think he’s the right person at the right time. I don’t think he should be president. The last thing on my mind is who I’m going to support." pic.twitter.com/BDmnxSBMqh

— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) February 18, 2024

During the same interview, Haley also accused Trump of either being unconcerned about the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny or siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It's actually pretty amazing that he not only — after making those comments that he would encourage Putin to invade NATO — but the fact that he won't acknowledge anything with Navalny. Either he sides with Putin and thinks it's cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesn't think it's that big of a deal. Either one of those is concerning — either one of those is a problem.

Nikki Haley on Donald Trump's silence following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny: "Either he sides with Putin and thinks it's cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesn't think it's that big of a deal." https://t.co/FvJWal3Drw pic.twitter.com/FjzXnooH7J

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 18, 2024

Haley’s comments come as the nation prepares for the South Carolina primary elections. Despite her confidence that she can win the GOP nomination, the polls are not favorable toward her. Trump is currently leading Haley in South Carolina 63.4 percent to 32.4 percent, according to the latest RealClearPolling average. Nationally, the former president is beating her 74.9 percent to 17.2 percent.