Former President Donald Trump Reveals Vice Presidential Shortlist

Former President Donald Trump hinted at a prospective vice presidential shortlist during a “Fox News” town hall event on Tuesday. The list includes several prominent figures such as South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Vice presidential shortlist

During the event, host Laura Ingraham delved into the subject, raising the possibility of six potential choices for Trump's running mate. These included DeSantis, Scott, biotech entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and Gabbard. When questioned if they were all under consideration, Trump confirmed, "They are. Honestly, all of those people are good. They're all good, they're all solid."

The news outlet acknowledged Trump's tendency to speak candidly and raised the surprising prospect of him choosing DeSantis, given their history of criticizing each other. The two engaged in a year-long public feud before DeSantis withdrew from the presidential race following a disappointing second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. Nonetheless, DeSantis has since thrown his support behind Trump, leading to a change in their dynamic. Trump has ceased his attacks on the governor and retired the "DeSanctimonious" moniker he had previously used.

Notably, Trump highlighted Scott, who was present in the audience, as the most praiseworthy candidate. Scott withdrew from the Republican primary last year and subsequently endorsed Trump. He has been actively campaigning for Trump in his home state in advance of South Carolina’s Feb. 24 primary. Trump expressed admiration for Scott's advocacy, stating, "A lot of people are talking about that gentleman right over there. He’s been such a great advocate. 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.’"

The former President's disclosure about his potential vice presidential shortlist has stirred speculation and intrigue, with several notable figures under consideration. As the 2024 presidential race looms on the horizon, the revelation of Trump's shortlist offers early insight into his possible choices for a running mate. With each candidate possessing unique merits and alliances, their selection could significantly impact Trump's future political endeavors.