WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump will spend part of his weekend hosting the latest episode of “The Apprentice,” but this time it’s the vice president’s edition.
There are at least six former presidents’ running mate candidates – Sen. Tim Scott, R.S.C. and Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, RN.Y. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is scheduled to attend a Republican donor retreat in Palm Beach, Fla., on Friday and Saturday, something of a series of auditions.
The invitation to the event states, “This is a great opportunity for Republican leaders and supporters to come together,” and there will also be a panel discussion closed to the media with campaign officials and Republican members of Congress. It will be included.
But Palm Beach has been fighting for months to join Trump on the Republican ticket, which included Mike Pence in 2016 and 2020. Much attention will be focused on the vice presidential candidates.
Trump, who liked to keep his hosts guessing when he hosted the reality show “The Apprentice,” has said a lot about his running mate in recent months.
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“Unless someone named Donald J. Trump, anyone who claims to know who President Trump will pick as vice president and when is lying,” campaign senior adviser Brian Hughes told USA. he told TODAY in a statement.
Here’s what you need to know about President Trump’s running mate.
senator tim scott
If Trump seeks to make a historic selection, he could make Scott the Republican’s first black vice presidential nominee.
Scott previously ran against Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination, but ultimately defeated his former rival in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries.
However, President Trump has indicated that he does not want a successor who plans to run for president in 2028, and Scott would fall into that category if he decides to run for the White House again. there is a possibility.
That’s why high-profile figures like former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson keep popping up. Mr. Carson has no plans to begin a new campaign at the White House and is not scheduled to participate in a donor retreat this weekend.
Senator J.D. Vance
Vance, a first-term senator, has been particularly vocal in defending Trump from prosecution in four separate criminal cases, including an ongoing hush money trial in New York.
Vance, a frequent television news guest, saw his stock rise this week after a reporter received an invitation to headline a May 15 fundraiser for the former president in Cincinnati. . Mr. Vance is also friends with Donald Trump Jr., a key figure in Mr. Trump’s orbit.
Vance told Fox News and CNN this week that he has not discussed running mate with Trump.
“Of course, if he asks me, I have to think about it seriously, because I think it’s really important that he wins,” Vance told “Fox News Sunday.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik
Trump could make history by choosing a woman, and Stefanik has been on the list for months.
Stefanik, a member of the House leadership, was an early supporter of Trump, actively campaigning for him in New Hampshire and attending conservative events such as this weekend’s RNC donor conference in Palm Beach. He frequently gives lectures to related organizations.
Stefanik has been a vocal critic of Trump’s criminal case, even filing a legal complaint with special counsel Jack Smith. He is the lead prosecutor in the case alleging that President Trump mishandled classified information and tried to steal the 2020 election.
senator marco rubio
Rubio, a senator from the state where the Republican donor convention is being held, will also make history as the first Latino to qualify for the national race.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Rubio could pose legal problems because they both live in Florida. Some lawyers believe that a vice presidential candidate from the same state could be stripped of that state’s electoral votes. That’s why vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney moved from Texas to Wyoming when he was nominated by former President George W. Bush in 2000.
The Florida issue could also affect the chances of another Republican lawmaker and vice presidential candidate, Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.), scheduled to attend the donor retreat.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum
There are always strong candidates. For example, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in 2008. Ms. Burgum is one of her speakers at the weekend soirée.
President Trump may consider the fact that the North Dakota governor endorsed and spoke on his behalf at an event the day before the Iowa caucuses. Burgum is more enthusiastic about Trump than other former 2024 candidates who are not being considered as running mates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Another politician not on President Trump’s list is former Vice President Mike Pence.
Mr. Pence has rebelled against Mr. Trump over Mr. Trump’s demand that the vice president throw out the electoral votes that elected Mr. Biden as president in 2021, a step he could never legally take. Pence insisted there was no such thing. Even after a mob breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, threatening Pence’s life, President Trump appeared unconcerned.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
Noem will appear at this weekend’s meeting at a precarious time as a vice presidential candidate after it was revealed in a new book that he shot and killed his dog because it kept attacking people and livestock. become.
The story drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. Donald Trump Jr. said on the podcast “Triggered” that the revelation was “not ideal.”
Noem, who described the dog as dangerous in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, said: “It’s an unfortunate situation, but I hope people understand. “We need to hear the truth without any consequences.” It was spinning. ”
Lots of advice for Trump
As Mr. Trump weighs his options, he’s getting plenty of advice from colleagues, lawmakers and donors about who to choose.
Some candidates are not scheduled to be in Palm Beach this weekend, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders (former Trump press secretary), Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. There are some too.
Donald Trump Jr. told former Trump adviser Steve Bannon on his radio show that his father should “expedite” his decision on a running mate, especially given the fact that Trump is tied up in court. Told.
“We have enough people to do it,” Bannon said, “and we have great people like J.D. Vance and Governor Burgum of North Dakota.” You know, Dr. Carson and others. ”
Some say they don’t know when President Trump will make a decision.
Newt Gingrich, who President Trump considered as a running mate in 2016, said the former president would act when he was ready.
“I’m going to relax and see what (Trump) does. He’ll just do it on instinct,” Gingrich told USA TODAY. “I think he’s considering (Marco) Rubio, Scott, Tim Scott and maybe a few female candidates, but I think he’ll think it through at his own pace. “I’m not in a hurry.” ”
