Former President Donald Trump confirmed Monday that six Republicans are on his short list for a potential running mate and vice president at a town hall.
In his first hint at who his vice president could be if he wins the November election, Trump’s list included two former opponents and an ex-Democrat.
Trump, 77, confirmed that Florida Governor and former foil Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott are all among the ex-rivals being considered.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Florida Republican Byron Donalds and former Democrat Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard are on his short list.
Former President Donald Trump confirmed at a town hall Monday that six Republicans are on his short list for a potential running mate and vice president, including two former opponents and an ex-Democrat
A DailyMail.com poll in New Hampshire showed Ramasmway as the top choice for running mate, followed by Scott in second and Tucker Carlson and Ben Carson in a tie for third.
‘All those people are good. They are all solid,” Trump told Laura Ingraham on Monday evening.
However, Trump said the decision on a running mate may not be the biggest decision of his campaign.
“The one thing that always surprises me is that the vice presidential choice always has no impact,” he said.
Trump noted that 2008 Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin had a huge impact but faced attacks like no one had before.
He then tried to argue for the qualities he believed his running mate should bring to the ticket.
‘It is a very important position. You’d like to have someone who can help you from the voters’ point of view,” Trump said, but noted he wanted someone with “common sense.”
DeSantis became the target of Trump’s infamous mockery during the primaries, although the Florida governor backed down and endorsed him.
Gabbard, who served several terms in the House of Representatives and ran for president as a Democrat in 2020, has since left the party and become a fixture in the conservative media.
Scott and Ramaswamy both dropped out of the race after the initial contests to support Trump.
Trump confirmed that Florida governor and one-time foil Ron DeSantis is among his former opponents in the running for the VP nomination
Former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard is also on the former president’s VP list
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy praised Trump even when they met in the primaries
Noem and Donalds have both been staunch allies of the president and were among the first backers in 2024.
In January, DailyMail.com outlined what Trump is looking for in a candidate and who the top contenders are.
The key choice facing Trump will be whether to increase total loyalty, increase his prowess or have the ability to appeal to independents and moderates in a closely divided election.
His former vice president, Mike Pence, isn’t even in the mix after Trump blamed him for his lack of “courage” on Jan. 6 and ignited his own presidential campaign.
Trump tore into the gossip when he said at a Fox News town hall in Iowa this month, “I know who it’s going to be,” although comments from aides at the time suggested Trump may have gone a little too far. Now, just a few weeks later, informal advisors are submitting names.
“I think it would be good if a vice presidential candidate checked some boxes: Who will help strengthen the base? Who can go to the suburbs and extend support by talking to these mothers in a kind, compassionate way?” Hogan Gidley, a former Trump White House press aide who still consults with the former president, told DailyMail.com.
“Who can not only implement but also continue to build on the America First policy that so many people, a large portion of the people in their country, support over the next four years, but over the next twelve years?
“As an added benefit, it would be nice if that person could talk to the press, understand Trump’s world, understand the president himself, be a fighter and be unflappable.”
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was also mentioned as a potential candidate
Sen. Tim Scott could add stature and diversity to a Trump ticket, but critics accused him of envying the candidate when Trump told him to “hate” Nikki Haley
Representative Byron Donalds was a staunch ally of the president and one of the early advocates of 2024
Advisers are already suggesting names to former President Donald Trump about potential running mates as he grapples with the ongoing challenge from Nikki Haley following his victories in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Trump must decide whether to prioritize MAGA loyalty or broaden his appeal on the fringes as he leads Joe Biden in the polls.
Other names DailyMail.com suggested could be candidates: Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, still-active former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Kari Lake, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Carson and Carlson.
Senator JD Vance, whose “Hillbilly Eligy” helped explain the Trump phenomenon, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were also mentioned.