Trump Just Crossed Big Names Off His VP Shortlist: Report
Former President Donald Trump is reportedly turning his attention to selecting potential running mates and identifying candidates for key cabinet positions, according to a recent report.
As the presumptive Republican nominee, Trump is not waiting until the July 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to start planning for a potential second term, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
Citing sources within Trump’s inner circle, Bloomberg stated that the 45th president has ruled out venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy as a potential vice president but is considering offering him a significant role in his administration if re-elected in November.
Bloomberg reporters Jennifer Jacobs and Justin Sink revealed that Trump has already informed Ramaswamy that he will not be chosen as a running mate.
Sources mentioned that Trump’s closest aides view the 38-year-old as a strong candidate to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
“Some Trump allies believe Ramaswamy would be an excellent fit for the position because of his public speaking skills and his background as an Indian-American son of an immigrant, which could help counter criticisms of strict immigration policies,” Jacobs and Sink wrote.
According to the reporters, Trump prefers a running mate who excels behind the scenes and is not seeking the spotlight.
Bloomberg noted that Trump has encountered challenges in finding a suitable vice presidential candidate.
“Trump has privately expressed to close advisers and allies that none of the names being circulated as potential running mates have impressed him significantly,” Jacobs and Sink stated. “Instead of narrowing down his options, his list of potential candidates has grown longer, according to sources close to the former president.”
Some of the individuals under consideration lack national recognition or have questionable loyalties within the GOP, such as Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, who is perceived by Trump supporters as being too aligned with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Trump is reportedly seeking input from numerous sources close to him to assist him in making the right decision.
The report mentioned that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is not expected to join a hypothetical second Trump administration, despite having a recent positive conversation with Trump, as Trump is still displeased by DeSantis’s previous bid for the GOP nomination, which was suspended after the Iowa caucuses in January.
In addition to Ramaswamy, some potential cabinet appointees include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, and Robert Lighthizer, who served as the Trump administration’s U.S. Trade Representative from 2017 to 2021.
According to Bloomberg, criteria for evaluating candidates include “ideological alignment,” “loyalty,” and “perceived electoral influence.”
One key position Trump aims to fill with the right candidate in a potential future administration is that of attorney general, with Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah reportedly on Trump’s shortlist for the role.
While Trump adviser Jason Miller acknowledged discussions about potential personnel in another Trump administration, he advised caution in believing everything reported on the matter.
“Apparently, someone has compiled a list of everyone who has ever interacted with President Trump and is now speculating about their potential roles in a second Trump administration,” Miller said in a statement.
He concluded, “The truth is, unless you hear it directly from President Trump or his campaign, it’s all speculation.”