Here's What Trump Has Said So Far About His Possible VP Pick

I think it's pretty clear at this point that President Donald Trump is going to be the nominee.

So the question then next turns to who will he choose for his vice presidential running mate.

Given all the stakes, he needs someone who is going to be able to bring a lot to the table and help take on the challenges of dismantling all the mess. There are a lot of thoughts on who that should be and, of course, candidates who have previously dropped out - like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy - are high on the lists for some people for the position. And they would certainly bring a lot to the table.

But the question is who is Trump thinking about? So I wanted to share what I've seen so far of what he has said as well as the comments of people who have talked with him on the matter like Sebastian Gorka and Glenn Beck.

First, let's talk about the alleged shortlist that has the known names in the discussion, composed by senior officials according to Fox. Supposedly this list doesn't contain Nikki Haley, DeSantis, or Ramaswamy. The list is subject to change. But as of two days ago, it allegedly included folks like Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) who was termed in the report as a long shot. But it's not clear that Vance or Sanders want the job. Sanders said that she likes being governor. Stefanik definitely wants the job and seems to be auditioning for it.

Axios also says Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is on the shortlist too. Vance, Scott, and Stefanik have all been campaigning for Trump in New Hampshire.

Trump dished a bit to Fox's Bret Baier about who he was thinking about. He said that he didn't see any rush right now and probably would name the person in a couple of months. But what he said was interesting.

Reporter asks Trump who his VP pick will be— his answer shocks: pic.twitter.com/pZuiFbK3qC
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 22, 2024

"The person that I think I like is a very good person, pretty standard. I think people won't be that surprised, but I would say there's probably a 25 percent chance it would be that person," Trump said. He's asked about Scott and he says he's a great guy. He then goes on to note that all the South Carolina folks like Scott have endorsed him rather than Haley.

That says to me that although he's thinking of this person, there are a lot of other horses in the paddock and he's not wed to the idea. Or at least that's what he wants to put out there at this point.

He was also asked about the possibility of DeSantis playing a role in the Trump White House.

“It’s probably unlikely,” Trump said after DeSantis dropped out of the race. “But I have to be honest: Everything’s a possibility, but I think it’s highly unlikely. I have a lot of great people, and I have great people that have been with me right from the beginning.”
Trump added DeSantis had not asked for a position in a possible administration. The governor’s current term runs through 2026.

I'm not sure DeSantis wants the job when he's been running for the top spot for so long.

Trump also said it was "highly unlikely" he would be picking Haley. And I think her comments against him over the past few days are making it less and less likely. He also said she wasn't of "presidential timber" and explained that means he probably wouldn't be picking her.

Trump dispels rumors of a Nikki Haley VP pick at rally— saying she is "not Presidential timber":

"That probably means that she's not gonna be chosen as the Vice President."

pic.twitter.com/YrbG5yY237
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 20, 2024

Now, let's note what a couple of other folks have said they were told by Trump.

Glenn Beck said he was asked for his opinion by Trump and he recommended Vivek because he can have Trump's back and connect and excite the youth, then he can carry on the mantle. The interesting thing about that was, according to Beck, Trump said that was the most common response he was getting from people he asked the question.

Glenn Beck says the number one response to Donald Trump’s question of who he should choose as Vice President is Vivek Ramaswamy.

pic.twitter.com/Q9HnRKUnUV
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 20, 2024

Then Sebastian Gorka claims that he knows who the choice is and yes, it's a man. "It's nobody who anybody is discussing" but it's a "superb" choice, Gorka said. He said it wasn't Vivek.

Trump's VP pick will be a man according to Gorka. pic.twitter.com/I6zDpN6Ijl
— Bruce Snyder (@RealBruceSnyder) January 20, 2024

Gorka says the choice will be a great person who can be tasked to help get things done. He said he'd been texting with this person every day and wanted him to announce on his show. He allegedly also said on a Space discussion that the man was a former politician from New York who is currently campaigning with him. That seems to point a finger at Lee Zeldin, who is now on the trail campaigning for Trump.

Could Lee Zeldin be Trump’s VP choice?

From NY
Been campaigning with him
Formidable
Very Smart

🤔

pic.twitter.com/Qn1h2wHO9D
— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) January 21, 2024

Now, having laid all that out, remember what Trump said, I don't know that whoever he's thinking about right now would be the final choice. He has a lot to weigh here and it's incredibly important to have a partner who can help clean house, and there are some good possibilities out there. So hopefully he considers this because he needs someone who is going to not only be able to do that but who can also add to the ticket and help win the White House back.

Tim Scott Endorses Trump With Great Enthusiasm at NH Rally, Nikki Haley's Face Says It All

WATCH: Vivek Lights It Up With Trump in New Hampshire