There has been much speculation about who will be Donald Trump's running mate, and all eyes will be on the crowds at the upcoming presidential debate on June 27 to see if there are any clues.
According to NBC News, Trump told the media outlet at a Philadelphia campaign stop on June 22 that he had made a decision. When asked by NBC if he had decided who would be his running mate, he said that he had made a decision.
Trump further fueled the anticipation by suggesting that the chosen individual would 'most likely' be present at the first presidential debate. His confident statement, 'They'll be there,' followed by his assurance of a significant turnout, leaves the audience hopeful for an exciting event.
Donald Trump is expected to announce his pick for Vice President at the Republican National Convention next month in July. Several media outlets, including Forbes have reported that vetting paperwork has already been sent to several candidates.
So who do we think is for sure on Donald Trump's VP short list? According to Newsweek, it sounds like most likely he will choose a man, not a woman. Some of Trump's biggest female supporters such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert are considered too big of a risk due to their "erratic" behaviour.
As reported by ABC News, among the top contenders is Sen. J.D. Vance from Ohio. Sources told the media outlet that the Trump campaign has already sent vetting paperwork to Vance. In addition on June 4 Trump mentioned Vance as being among his top four VP frontrunners when asked if he would be making a VP decision soon.
Per ABC News, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has also been sent vetting materials. However, the new soutlet highlights that Rubio has denied thus far any discussions with the Trump campaign about running as Trump's VP. On June 5 Rubio told ABC, "I haven’t talked to them about vice president."
Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota also supposedly received vetting materials from the Trump campaign according to Forbes. Burgum and some other VP contenders made the trip to Manhattan earlier this month to support Trump during his hush money trial.
According to NBC News, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is also on Donald Trump's VP short list. Scott has spoken eagerly to the press about his wish to work with Trump in the White House. Earlier in June Scott told Newsmax, “if you’re the guy moderating [the vice presidential debate], maybe I’ll be talking to you,” adding “we’ll see, we’ll see,” when asked if he might be on Trump's VP short list.
Forbes reports that Ben Carson, Trump’s 2016 rival-turned cabinet member has also received a vetting request from the Trump campaign. Carson, a former neurosurgeon was Donald Trump's Housing and Urban Development secretary when in office.
These top four contenders have all been named by anynomous sources who have spoken to the press about who has recieved vetting materials from the Trump campaign. And although Trump has been quite careful not to reveal to the public if he has a favorite VP candidates, he has named dropped quite a bit.
The Washington Post reported that in a recent Newsmax interview, Trump said: “We have some unbelievable people” being considered.I thought Tim Scott didn’t run as good of a race as he’s capable of running for himself, but as a surrogate for me, he’s unbelievable.”
Trump continued, “Governor Burgum from North Dakota has been incredible. Marco Rubio has been great. J.D. Vance has been great. We’ve had so many great people out there — Ben Carson.”
There are most likely plenty of other candidates being vetted at the moment however experts claim that the individuals that Trump's campaign asks for vetting first reflect who is on the top of Donald Trump's VP list.
Of course officials from the Trump campaign insist that whomever is chosen will be chosen by Trump and Trump alone. Brian Hughes, a senior adviser for the Trump campaign told the press, "Anyone claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying, unless the person is named Donald J. Trump."
