Nikki Haley has blunt message for Trump, GOP as Kamala Harris gains momentum: 'Quit whining'

Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley weighed in on the state of the 2024 race Tuesday as Vice President Kamala Harris gains momentum in key battleground states ahead of the November election.

Haley told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier on "Special Report" Republicans and former President Trump should focus on policy and messaging instead of crowd sizes at rallies, Harris' race, or attacks on her intellect.

"You can't win on those things. The American people are smart. Treat them like they're smart," she said. "It's not about her. It's about the American people. Talk to them and let them know you need their vote."

The former South Carolina governor also encouraged Republicans to "quit whining" about Harris and "quit complaining" that she hasn’t given a formal sit-down interview since replacing President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.

"We knew it was going to be her. She's not going to give an interview. They're going to hold out as long as they can. That's their right. They can do it. That doesn't mean we can't talk about what she believes in. And we should be getting out there and doing that," said Haley.

"I take her at her word that she thinks that illegal immigrants should be able to vote and be given driver's licenses. I take her at her word that she wants to ban fracking and kill a bunch of U.S. jobs. Take her at her word."

HARRIS MOCKED FOR TAKING LESS THAN 2 MINUTES OF QUESTIONS AFTER 18 DAYS: ‘THIS IS THE BEST KAMALA COULD DO?’

As of Tuesday, Harris has yet to hold a formal press conference or sit down for an interview in 23 days. She told reporters on the tarmac in Detroit last week that she’s asked her team to schedule her first interview since becoming the Democratic nominee before the