During a recent town hall event in South Carolina, former President Donald Trump confirmed a list of potential vice president candidates that had been floated around. After being asked by Fox News host Laura Ingraham about this list, Trump confirmed that all the people listed were in the running.
This shortlist of vice presidential candidates didn’t surprise many political analysts — though, a few names did raise some eyebrows. While Trump admitted he’s looking for a vice president, he did not give any timeline on when this choice would become public.
Vivek Ramaswamy
According to Trump, entrepreneur — and former GOP presidential candidate — Vivek Ramaswamy has made the list. Ramaswamy’s combative campaign made a name for himself and allowed him to ally himself with Trump.
Once Ramaswamy dropped out of the race, he quickly backed Trump. Since publicly endorsing Trump, Ramaswamy has hit the campaign trail with the former president. Recently, he and his wife were also seen at Mar-A-Lago with Trump and his wife, Melania.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
South Dakota’s current governor Kristi Noem is also on Trump’s vice president shortlist. Last year, Noem publicly endorsed Trump. Since then, she has tied herself to his campaign in many ways.
Trump, as a result, has supported Noem. After receiving her endorsement last year, he reportedly said that she was “one of the most successful governors in the entire nation.”
Representative Byron Donalds
Florida Representative Byron Donalds also received a spot on the vice presidential shortlist — a fact that didn’t surprise many, as Trump himself floated the idea of Donalds being his vice president earlier this year.
Donalds has long supported Trump and calls himself a part of MAGA. The Florida Rep has also already come out and said he’d accept the vice presidential position if Trump asks him.
Former Representative Tulsi Gabbard
Former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard also snagged a spot on the list, raising some eyebrows. During Gabbard’s time in Congress, she was a Democrat. However, over the years, she revealed more conservative views and subsequently left the Democratic Party.
Since leaving the House, Gabbard has found a home on Fox News. However, some traditional Republican voters do not like her views — particularly her views on the Ukraine-Russia war — and have stated that they wouldn’t vote for Trump if Gabbard became his VP.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
When Flordia Governor Ron DeSantis dropped out of the GOP presidential race, he immediately endorsed Trump. However, DeSantis has yet to actually campaign with the former president. Though he appears on this shortlist, it doesn’t appear that things are good between the DeSantis and Trump teams.
After appearing on the shortlist, DeSantis reportedly said he wouldn’t serve as vice president. He also criticized Trump, saying, “I have heard that they’re looking more in identity politics. I think that’s a mistake.” As a result, the Trump team has said DeSantis is no longer an option.
Senator Tim Scott
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott also dropped out of the Republican presidential race — and quickly backed Trump. Since endorsing Trump, Scott has campaigned for the former president quite often.
Thanks to this very public and enthusiastic support, many political analysts theorized that Scott was angling for the Vice President spot. Now that he’s on the shortlist, these experts believe he might have a fair shot at getting the position.
Trump Praises Scott
Scott has campaigned heavily for Trump since leaving the race — especially in his home state of South Carolina, which will soon have a primary pitting Trump against former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
This led Trump to publicly praise Scott. “He’s been such a great advocate,” Trump said. “I have to say this in a very positive way, Tim Scott, he has been much better for me than he was for himself. I watched his campaign, and he doesn’t like talking about himself. But boy does he talk about Trump. … I called him and I said, ‘Tim, you’re better for me than you were for yourself.’”
Is Elise Stefanik Still in the Running?
Over the past few months, many reports swirled that New York Representative Elise Stefanik was at the top of Trump’s VP list. However, when talking with Laura Ingraham at the town hall event, Trump only mentioned six options — and Stefanik wasn’t on the shortlist.
This has led many to wonder if Stefanik is still in the running to obtain that vice president position. As she has become a fervent Trump supporter, there is a high possibility she still has a chance.
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s VP Chances
Another passionate MAGA supporter who wasn’t on the shortlist? Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Greene has campaigned for Trump from the get-go and will likely continue to. Though Trump didn’t reference her during the town hall, last year Greene said she knew her name was on the VP list. Therefore, her chances to get this position may still be possible.
Kari Lake Possibly Becoming Vice President
Republican Kari Lake, who is currently running in the 2024 senate race in Arizona, was also previously touted as a possible VP option. Many reports surfaced that insinuated Lake and Greene would be the two to battle it out.
However, Lake didn’t appear on Trump’s shortlist. As Trump allies reportedly didn’t want her as a vice president option, her chances remain up in the air.
Trump’s Presidential Battle Against Haley
Of course, Trump likely won’t announce who his VP pick is until he wins the GOP presidential primaries and becomes their official nominee. However, he still has to beat his opponent Nikki Haley.
Haley, who was governor of South Carolina, continues to have an uphill battle in defeating the former president. Regardless, she says she will remain in the race “until the last person votes.”
