Exploring Trump's Extensive and Evolving VP Options

At a fundraiser in New York, Donald Trump asked donors for their thoughts on Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake as a potential running mate.

Lately, the former president has been showing a lot of interest in Ohio Sen. JD Vance during his conversations.

And Florida Senator Marco Rubio, New York Representative Elise Stefanik, former Trump Cabinet official Ben Carson, and even former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley are some of the names that Trump has mentioned over the past few months.

These individuals are being considered by the presumptive GOP nominee as he decides who could be the next potential vice president.

Trump frequently seeks input from allies, donors, and members of Mar-a-Lago regarding potential candidates. His interest in these candidates tends to fluctuate, often influenced by recent discussions with different allies.

According to a source, Trump's opinions on individuals can change rapidly. One day he may criticize someone, only to inquire about them as a possible vice president the next day. Sometimes, he is simply curious about others' opinions of the individuals in question.

In recent weeks, Trump has shown more interest in Rubio, Vance, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, and Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Clockwise from top left: New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

Clockwise from top left: New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

AFP/Getty Images/Reuters/AP

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Trump's advisers have mentioned that the former president has not yet made a final decision on who he wants to run with. They also mentioned that Trump has not personally talked about the role with many of the people he has suggested as potential candidates.

As Trump considers different names and potential candidates start positioning themselves, his campaign team has put together a list of over a dozen possible vice presidential picks to be carefully reviewed, according to sources familiar with the situation.

One source described the list as "unsurprising," saying it included names already known to the public, many of which Trump had mentioned himself. The campaign is keeping track of these names, but multiple sources warned that the final decision on who will be on the ticket will ultimately be made by the former president, whether they have been vetted or not.

According to three sources who spoke to CNN, Trump has privately mentioned that he plans to reveal his choice for vice president in the early summer, before the Republican convention.

Trump and his close advisors once thought about revealing his running mate soon after he had enough delegates to win the GOP presidential nomination. They believe that Trump might still choose to make the announcement earlier.

Supporters of Trump say that there are advantages and disadvantages to both scenarios. If he announces his running mate early, it could help with fundraising, which is important since his team is facing challenges in competing financially with President Joe Biden's campaign.

Announcing later can build suspense and generate more interest in the former president as Republicans compete to be his running mate. Trump has recently informed his allies that his choice for vice president does not matter. He made it clear that he alone will be leading the 2024 Republican ticket, according to sources from CNN.

One source close to the former president told CNN that Trump believes his supporters will vote for him regardless of who his running mate is, and those who are not in favor of him will not change their minds because of a running mate.

Despite this, sources also mentioned Trump's political acumen and stated that he would be seeking a running mate who can assist him in garnering support from certain voting blocs where he may be less strong.

Some of those who were close to the former president were really surprised by how much Trump is thinking about choosing Rubio, the senator from Florida who had a lot of disagreements with him during the 2016 GOP presidential primary.

After announcing his third presidential bid, Trump was upset with Rubio for not endorsing him early on. He reminded advisers that he had even held an event for the senator in Miami before his last election. Despite this, Rubio eventually endorsed Trump earlier this year.

One source with direct knowledge of the discussions told CNN that Trump's consideration of Rubio is "very much real."

“He likes Rubio because he’s Hispanic, young, a good speaker, natural charisma,” a senior Trump adviser said.

CNN

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According to a second source familiar with the situation, the former president admitted that there may be a conflict in selecting Rubio as they both live in Florida. Some of Trump's top advisors also raised this concern.

There is no law that says the President and Vice President of the US cannot be from the same state. However, Article II of the Constitution does prevent electors in each state from voting for two people from the same state.

This rule would be especially important in a tight election. The Trump campaign is currently forecasting that the 2024 race will be a close one, based on discussions with several Trump advisers.

Rubio responded to rumors about his potential nomination as vice president by stating on conservative radio with Glenn Beck that serving in that role would be an honor. He clarified that he has not had any discussions with President Trump or anyone from his campaign regarding the vice presidential candidacy.

Multiple allies have suggested South Carolina’s Scott to Trump as a potential candidate, but one source mentioned that Trump didn't show much interest in him. However, others close to Trump disagreed and mentioned that Trump has been impressed by Scott's support as a surrogate after the senator suspended his own 2024 presidential campaign.

If Trump wins the election, there will be numerous administration positions to fill, along with the potential vice president. Trump-aligned groups are currently screening candidates to build a potential staff. It is anticipated that Trump's team will mostly consider applicants from a list of loyalists compiled by Project 2025, a transition effort led by the conservative Heritage Foundation. John McEntee, one of Trump's former trusted aides, is assisting with the personnel aspect of the project.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an intriguing glimpse into the potential vice presidential candidates being considered by Donald Trump for his 2024 presidential campaign. The list includes a diverse group of individuals, from seasoned politicians to rising stars, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Trump's interest in these candidates has fluctuated over time, influenced by discussions with allies and donors. The final decision on his running mate will ultimately rest with Trump, who has indicated that he values loyalty and the ability to attract specific voter blocs.

While the article offers a comprehensive overview of the potential candidates, it leaves some questions unanswered. For example, it would be interesting to know more about the specific qualities that Trump is seeking in a running mate. Additionally, the article does not delve into the potential impact of Trump's personal relationships with these individuals on his decision-making process. As the campaign progresses, it will be fascinating to observe how these factors shape Trump's ultimate choice and the potential impact on the 2024 election. move could aid in fundraising or generate more interest in the former president's campaign. Despite Trump's confidence that his supporters will vote for him regardless of his running mate, sources close to him indicate that he will seek a candidate who can help him gain support from specific voting blocs where he may be weaker.