Donald Trump's VP Selection Process: Unveiling Unexpected Choices

In recent weeks, a group of familiar Republicans has been in the spotlight as potential running mates for Donald Trump. Trump has been mentioning these names repeatedly in interviews and appearances, making it seem like they are the top contenders.

However, there is a growing belief among those close to Trump that he may surprise everyone with his choice. Some within the campaign think that the lack of secrecy around the selection process could mean Trump might choose someone unexpected.

One adviser told CNN that historically, the more a name is mentioned by Trump, the less likely it is to be that person. However, they also mentioned that they were speculating.

Trump has been talking about the same names for months, and many of them have recently shown their loyalty by making public displays of support. Some have been seen outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump is on trial, while others have defended him on television. During an interview last week, Trump mentioned that he has many potential options but did not want to reveal them. He then proceeded to list several names that are frequently mentioned as likely contenders, including former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and Rep. Elise Stefanik.

"He mentioned that he could continue talking for a while," he said.

Trump has been seeking opinions from his supporters about Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. Both politicians have been seen at his recent campaign events and often speak in support of him on television.

A final decision on the Republican vice presidential candidate is not expected until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. Trump and his team are strategically delaying the announcement to create maximum political impact.

The list of potential candidates continues to grow rather than narrow down. Trump is listening to input from donors, allies, and advisors, allowing those close to him to suggest their top picks for consideration. Recent contenders include Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

A growing number of influential voices within Trump's circle have suggested that the former president should consider selecting a Hispanic running mate. The search for a potential bilingual candidate who can connect with a crucial voting bloc has often focused on Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants who frequently speaks in support of Trump in both English and Spanish.

However, sources familiar with these discussions have mentioned Salazar as another potential candidate. Salazar, a former Univision television journalist who was elected to Congress in 2020, passionately defended Trump during his trial involving hush money in New York. She compared the legal case against Trump to the political persecution experienced by many residents in her district, who are primarily of Cuban and Venezuelan descent.

Salazar stated outside the Manhattan courthouse that she came willingly, is not a favorite, not seeking employment, and covered her own expenses. She also echoed Trump's accusations of being politically targeted, expressing concern for her constituents in Miami who fear the courts being used against political opponents.

According to a source, Salazar and Trump have crossed paths at Mar-a-Lago recently. The source mentioned that Salazar and her husband, Lester Woerner, who is a wealthy businessman in Palm Beach, are on friendly terms with members of the Trump family.

Salazar's limited experience may make her an unexpected dark horse for the presidency. Similar to Rubio, she may encounter challenges due to her Florida residency. While there is no rule against the president and vice president being from the same state, Article II of the Constitution prohibits electors from voting for two candidates from the same state.

This rule becomes especially significant in a tight election, and the Trump campaign anticipates a close race in 2024 based on discussions with various Trump advisers.

Cotton has over a decade of experience in Washington, starting with a term in the US House before being elected to the US Senate in 2014. He also has a military background. While other Senators are often asked about running with Trump, Cotton had remained relatively unnoticed until a recent report by The New York Times revealed he was being considered for the position. According to a source, Trump mentioned Cotton as a potential running mate during a private dinner, surprising some guests.

However, the same source indicated that Trump is not close to making a final decision on his running mate. Serious discussions with his team to narrow down the list of potential candidates have not yet begun.

According to one person, Trump is still thinking about this. Another source mentioned that Trump is open to hearing from different people, like Cotton's supporters who want to get Trump interested in the senator.

One person close to Trump mentioned that Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic presidential candidate, is still being considered. Trump had shown a strong liking for Gabbard after their meeting. Despite switching parties, her association with the former president is seen as interesting. However, her decision to vote for Trump's impeachment during her time in Congress may pose a challenge for her, as pointed out by his advisors.

Another potential candidate that has been discussed privately is Bill Hagerty from Tennessee. He was a special guest at a recent fundraiser in New York hosted by billionaire Howard Lutnick. Hagerty was among the Republicans frequently named as top contenders for the vice president position.

Doug Kaplan, president of Kaplan Strategies, conducted a poll in April to see how potential running mates would stack up against Trump in four swing states compared to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Hagerty, despite his name being misspelled with two G's, was part of the poll alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Carson, Rubio, and Vance.

When asked why he included Hagerty in the poll, Kaplan mentioned to CNN that he was "trying to think outside the box."

Kaplan mentioned that Hagerty does not have strong name recognition. However, he pointed out that Hagerty is respected by Trump for his foreign policy expertise and is known as a person who doesn't cause any trouble.

Some others mentioned that they have only heard Hagerty's name being considered for positions in a possible Trump administration, such as national security adviser and secretary of state. Hagerty has experience serving as ambassador to Japan during Trump's presidency.

Earlier this year, Hagerty was seen at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach with the former president. A source close to Trump described it as simply two friends having lunch.

Some Republicans have suggested Trump should form a team of rivals, with Haley as his running mate. Despite dropping out of the race months ago, Haley continues to receive a significant share of the vote in primary contests. For example, she garnered nearly 17% of the vote last month in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground for the general election. Additionally, Haley surprised many by winning about 22% of the vote in Indiana's primary earlier this month, a state that is traditionally Republican.

Trump has called Haley "tough" and praised her for putting up a strong fight during the Republican nomination.

Last week, Haley showed support for the former president by mentioning she would vote for him, although they have not spoken yet. Despite this, Trump has welcomed her support and hinted at her potential involvement in the campaign.

Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina initially endorsed Haley in the primary before switching his support to Trump. He believes that Haley should be on the GOP ticket and has made this argument to both Republicans.

Norman told CNN that he finds it impressive that Haley was able to pull over 20% in Indiana and still not be on the ballot. He believes this is why she would make a great VP candidate. Norman has pitched this idea to both President Trump and Nikki Haley.

Norman mentioned that Haley has not shown interest in joining Trump's ticket, but he thinks she might consider it. "Politics can be quite intriguing," Norman added. "People have the ability to move on from the past and focus on what lies ahead."

Editor's P/S:

The Republican vice presidential selection process presents an intriguing dynamic as Donald Trump keeps potential candidates guessing. Despite repeatedly mentioning names like Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance, and Elise Stefanik, speculation persists that Trump may deviate from expectations and opt for a surprise choice. This strategy, aimed at maximizing political impact, has fueled speculation among advisors and supporters.

The list of contenders remains fluid, with new names emerging as Trump seeks input from his circle. Hispanic candidates like Maria Elvira Salazar and Tim Scott have gained attention, reflecting the importance of reaching out to this crucial voting bloc. Other names in consideration include Tom Cotton, Bill Hagerty, Tulsi Gabbard, and Nikki Haley. Cotton's military experience and foreign policy expertise, Haley's strong support in primary contests, and Gabbard's unique political trajectory add depth to the potential VP choices. As the Republican National Convention approaches, the anticipation surrounding Trump's final decision continues to build.