President Donald Trump has reportedly initiated the formal vetting process for potential vice presidential candidates.
Sources close to NBC News reveal that a select group of high-profile conservatives has been approached to submit vetting paperwork.
Former chairwoman of the Tea Party Express, Amy Kramer, wrote on X that among those who have been approached by the campaign for vetting paperwork include:
- Doug Burgum
- Ben Carson
- Byron Donalds
- Marco Rubio
- Tim Scott
- Elise Stefanik
- J.D. Vance
?
JUST IN:
Team Trump has sent VP vetting paperwork to the following people…
Doug Burgum
Ben Carson
Byron Donalds
Marco Rubio
Tim Scott
Elise Stefanik
J.D. Vance
— Amy Kremer (@AmyKremer) June 6, 2024
According to NBC, citing one source, Trump’s vice presidential search is focused primarily on four leading candidates: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Senators Marco Rubio of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, and JD Vance of Ohio. Another source mentioned a three-way contest among Burgum, Rubio, and Vance.
More from the news outlet:
It’s unclear, though, who all has been asked to provide vetting details that could rule them in or out. Burgum, who has been spending more time with Trump in recent weeks, is among those who have received a request, said one source familiar with the ask. Advisers to Burgum and other would-be running mates declined or did not respond to requests for comment this week.
Sources plugged into conversations about the search cautioned that Trump is working from a fluid shortlist that at times includes more than a half-dozen names. Additions, subtractions and the emergence of dark-horse candidates remain possible.
Others who have been mentioned as prospective running mates include South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York and Byron Donalds of Florida and Ben Carson, who served as the Trump administration’s Housing and Urban Development secretary.
The discreet outreach by campaign officials picked up pace last month, even as Trump was embroiled in his criminal hush-money trial, ABC reported.
“Anyone claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying, unless the person is named Donald J. Trump,” stated Brian Hughes, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign.
According to AP, Trump plans to make his VP announcement closer to the Republican National Convention, scheduled for July.
