Former President Donald Trump told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier on Saturday in New Hampshire that “people won’t be that surprised” when they learn who his choice is for vice president.
When Baier asked the former president if he has given any thought to who he would select as his running mate if he secures the GOP nomination, Trump answered with a historical, results-driven perspective, “Well, it’s never really had that much of an effect on an election, which is an amazing thing, both election and primary. It’s never really had much of an effect.”
“I may or may not really [decide] something over the next couple of months,” Trump told Baier. “There’s no rush to that. It won’t have any impact at all. The person that I think I like is a very good person, a pretty standard. I think people won’t be that surprised, but I would say there’s probably a 25 percent chance that would be that person.”
The stars are aligning for Tim Scott. Newly engaged and named on Trump’s shortlist for Vice President, Scott is experiencing a remarkable week that could mark a pivotal moment in his political career. pic.twitter.com/Y4sBH7rgAc
— Armstrong Williams 🇺🇸 (@Arightside) January 23, 2024
When Baier asked if Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who withdrew from the GOP primary in November and recently endorsed Trump, is on the shortlist, Trump responded that Sen. Scott is a “great guy” before going on to recognize other politicians from the Palmetto State.
Trump has been tight-lipped during the campaign about who he is considering for his running mate this election cycle. Several Trump allies have reportedly suggested the former president pick a female running mate. Potential female running mates could include Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.
⚠️Never Nikki⚠️
Trump squashes the Nikki Haley VP theories for good.
“She’s not Presidential timber. When I say that, that probably means she’s not going to be chosen as Vice President”.
DeSantis influencers were wrong again. Seems to be quite the trend. pic.twitter.com/EndtEbnxkD
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) January 20, 2024
Mr. Trump has ruled out any likelihood that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) would land on his White House ticket in 2024. The former president said Haley was “probably” not going to be his VP pick.
A source familiar with the campaign says in late December that the conversation of running mates came up with Trump at a candlelit Mar-a-lago dinner — and someone mentioned Rep. Stefanik. “She’s a killer,” Trump replied and nodded approvingly, according to a person at the event.
“I’m proud to be the first member of Congress to have endorsed his re-election, and he had a huge win in Iowa. So we’re very excited about that,” Stefanik recently told NBC News.
