Trump Hints at Potential VP Shortlist

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Facts

  • During a Fox News-hosted town hall event in South Carolina on Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump confirmed the names of several politicians he has considered for the position of his vice presidential (VP) candidate in the 2024 presidential election.1
  • Trump responded 'They are,' when host Laura Ingraham asked if Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and former Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard were on his list.2
  • DeSantis' name has been raised as a potential VP following his decision last month to drop out of the race before the New Hampshire primary. Towards the end of his campaign, he said his fellow contenders were ready to 'kiss the ring' of Donald Trump.3
  • If Trump were to pick DeSantis, however, one of them would have to move to a different state, as the Constitution requires the president and VP to reside in separate states and both currently live in Florida.4
  • Following years of praising DeSantis as a governor, Trump criticized him during the GOP primary, saying he has 'no personality' and nicknaming him 'DeSaster' and 'DeSanctimonious,' though he appears to have shifted his stance again.5
  • One of the potential VP candidates, Tim Scott, was in attendance at town hall, where he said Trump had 'been such a great advocate.' Vivek Ramaswamy is also a longtime Trump supporter, who has worked with his campaign multiple times since himself dropping out of the primary last month.2

Sources: 1Forbes, 2FOX News, 3Independent, 4USA Today and 5Business Insider.

Narratives

  • Anti-Trump narrative, as provided by The New Republic. Whoever becomes Trump's VP pick won't get much benefit besides being labeled an endorser of illegal mobs who attacked the Capitol. Historically, VPs from neither party have gone on to become president, which proves the absurdity of this whole spectacle. What matters is who is willing to back Trump's second presidency despite the threat it poses to stability and US democracy.
  • Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. Whoever Trump picks needs to be a firm believer in his America First message and be prepared to fight the ruling elites hard once in the White House. They also need to appeal to the middle-of-the-road voter but avoid undercutting them like Mike Pence did the first time around. The primary polls have shown that Trump is all but confirmed as the GOP candidate — with a loyal and savvy right hand, he will be unstoppable.

Predictions