Former US President Donald Trump recently revealed that he will announce his finalists for the position of Vice President, hinting at when this announcement might take place during an interview with “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show.” According to the former president, he would love to make the announcement during the convention or just slightly before it. However, due to several complex reasons, this timeline might change.
One of the primary concerns is that the Republican National Committee needs time to produce campaign posters and signs featuring the vice-presidential pick’s name for use at the convention, which starts on Monday. Trump’s shortlist for the position includes Republican Sens. Marco Rubio, JD Vance, and Tim Scott, as well as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
The selection process is similar to a highly sophisticated version of “The Apprentice,” where Trump has access to all the necessary information to make his decision. He admitted that he may change his mind based on new information or preferences. A Trump campaign official stated that they are prepared to move forward once the decision is made, and it remains solely up to the former president.
There have been suggestions that Trump is delaying the announcement because of the chaos within the Democratic Party and does not want to distract from their issues. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich echoed this sentiment, stating that waiting can increase excitement and prevent attention from shifting to Trump’s campaign prematurely.
Another consideration in the decision-making process is the influence of former first lady Melania Trump, who reportedly has a favorite among the potential candidates. She has been speaking kindly of Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, despite opposition from Donald Trump Jr., who supports Ohio Senator JD Vance.
Advocates for Governor Burgum argue that his affable and understated style complements Trump’s more assertive personality, giving weight to the ticket without overshadowing him. Additionally, Burgum is extraordinarily wealthy, having used $20 million of his own money to finance his presidential campaign in 2020. His personal wealth could potentially draw support from conservative businesspeople who have been hesitant to back Trump.
