40 Down
NYT Daily • August 10, 2025
Republican politico Haley
Answer:
NIKKI
Hint:
This former South Carolina governor ran for president in 2024.
Explanation:
This clue refers to Nikki Haley, a well-known Republican politician who served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and governor of South Carolina. The answer "NIKKI" is her first name, which is commonly used in crosswords for brevity. The clue assumes familiarity with her political career, so no wordplay is involved—it's a straightforward reference to her public figure status.