Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign is ramping up its vice-presidential selection process, sending out vetting paperwork to several potential candidates in recent weeks. This move signifies a significant step forward in Trump’s preparations for his upcoming presidential campaign, amidst ongoing legal proceedings against him, via AP News.
According to sources familiar with the campaign’s efforts, a diverse list of politicians have been approached. The list includes North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Additionally, Florida Representative Byron Donalds, New York Representative Elise Stefanik, and Ben Carson, a former rival in the 2016 primaries who later served in Trump’s cabinet, are also under consideration.
The specifics of the vetting process remain confidential, with various levels of paperwork reportedly exchanged with the potential candidates. As of now, representatives for these politicians have not responded to requests for comments.
Trump’s campaign has maintained a veil of secrecy around the final selection, emphasizing the fluidity and evolving nature of the candidate list. “Anyone claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying unless the person is named Donald J. Trump,” stated Trump campaign spokesman Brian Hughes, underscoring the unpredictability and personal control Trump is exerting over the process.
This development follows a recent verdict where Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in a Manhattan criminal trial related to hush money payments. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 11. Despite these legal entanglements, Trump appears undeterred in his political ambitions, indicating that he may delay announcing his running mate until the Republican National Convention in July.
In a recent appearance on Newsmax, Trump mentioned Scott, Burgum, Rubio, Vance, and Carson as among those being actively considered for the vice-presidential slot. This list reflects a strategic mix of regional and ideological diversity that could complement Trump’s appeal across different voter demographics in the upcoming election.
As the process unfolds, the political and legal landscapes will likely influence both the timing and the choice of Trump’s running mate, with the former president poised to make a decision that aligns with his campaign strategies and legal circumstances.