Eyeing for a ticket to the top-spot or maybe next to the top-spot, are former presidential candidates, several senators, representatives, and governors – butterflies fluttering in their stomach, all hoping Trump backs them for his running mate
The list of contenders which Trump will scan to choose his running mate is a long one, but in an audio tape recorded during former president’s chatter during a high-profile event at his Mar-a-Logo resort with his ultrawealthy GOP buddies on Saturday, he chop the list down to handful of potential candidates. Surprisingly, few names didn’t make it to the “list”.
Amidst his busy schedule, mostly populated by court cases, criminal trials, presidential rallies, election campaigns and most significantly- surfing Truth Social page, Donald Trump made time to host his potential V.P contenders before he bursts their curiosity balloon and put a final pin to it. Months long rambling of Trump choosing his running mate was seized in a moment, recorded, packaged and finally obtained by Axios.
In the leaked audio tape, Axios interprets seven names which Trump reiterates throughout the event as his most-desirable applicants. Apart from names which everyone knew Trump would divulge, there were few unfathomable surprises like tossing entrepreneur and former 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy out of the category. His name was not mentioned, despite him attending the event.
Dissecting names of candidates inching closer to the prize
Trump is gathering hundreds of donors and prominent GOP lawmakers to closely scrutinize all the VP contenders, proving that it is not a one man’s task. It requires incredible brain power to select one out of a pool of many potential contestants, who would eventually be positioned at a top executive job. In his in-person gathering of several VP picks, those who overshadowed rests were Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, J.D Vance of Ohio, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York, Byron Donalds of Florida and Govs. Doug Burgum of North Dakota and Kristi Neom of South Dakota.
The gathering follows months of positioning of all the potential candidates frequently as guests of cable news shows that Trump watches. Each contestant was closely watched by Trump to assess their loyalty towards the former president. Senator J.P Vance of Ohio had especially impressed people close to Trump – including his son Donald Trump Jr., who counts Vance as a friend – by his defense of the ex-president in an interview televised this week.
Kristi Neom, governor of South Dakota, was personally praised by Trump at the luncheon. Despite her recent controversy which bubbled her up in every news headline, after she justified killing a dog in her book, which she had to, to protect herself, Trump gave her a shout-out, “She is somebody that I love. She’s been with me, a supporter of mine and I’ve been a supporter of hers for a long time”, according to the contents in the leaked audio.
Mr. Trump also mentioned House Republican conference chair Elise Stefanik, a long rumored, top VP pick for his vice president candidate. Ms. Elise has gone off-limits to pull favors for Mr. Trump, saving him on innumerable occasions. She voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election, defended January 6 riots and pushed for a legislation which would immune Trump from impeachment. “She was in upstate New York when I met her.. little did we realize she would be such a big factor”, exclaimed Trump.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who withdrew from his 2024 presidential campaign and endorsed Trump for Presidentship also fetched a lot of eyeballs. He has identified himself more of a surrogate to Trump, who not only supports Trump’s election campaigns but also uses his own fan following to divert their support towards Trump as well. “As a candidate he did a good job, but as a surrogate, he is unbelievable.
Mr. Trump is expected to announce the name of his running mate at the Republican National Convention, scheduled for 15 July to 18 July in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The delegates there will vote on weather to make Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for President. However, Trump has already been hoisted an unofficial Republican candidate after majority Republicans ousted themselves from the race.
