Politics
Donald Trump said his “short list” of vice presidential picks includes South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Tim Scott and the Congressman Byron Donalds.
We thought it was worth analyzing each one.
RELATED: Byron Donalds, who is on Trump’s vice presidential list, says Congress should cut government funding ‘if the border is not secure’
Looking at the candidates
Kristi Noem
Last year, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem endorsed Trump at a party fundraiser, causing observers to wonder whether she was interested in becoming his running mate.
Trump called Noem “one of the most successful governors in the entire nation” and said her endorsement “means a lot.”
Before becoming governor, Noem was in Congress. In 2011 he made headlines by supporting the former Democratic congressman’s anti-war bill on Libya.
The Hill reported: “On Friday (Kucinich’s) measure gained votes not only from traditional intervention skeptics like Reps. Ron Paul (Tex.) and Walter Jones (N.C.), but also won over conservative and hardline Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) and the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Dave Camp (Mich.). Dozens of Republican freshmen supported Kucinich, including class president Rep. Austin Scott (Ga.) and two leadership team representatives, Reps. Kristi Noem (SD) and Tim Scott (SC).”
RELATED: Tucker Carlson finally reveals whether he would be willing to run as Trump’s vice president
Tim Scott
Tim Scott has been an outspoken Trump ally for a long time, and the senator is beloved by most conservatives.
He ran for president against Trump and other candidates before dropping out in November. Scott has said he is open to being Trump’s vice president if selected.
“This nation is hungry for a constant projection of a better future, and that trajectory happens with President Trump in office,” Scott recently said.
As a Black Republican, Scott also praised Trump’s criminal justice reform legislation, the First Step Act.
At a recent event in South Carolina, Trump gestured to Scott and said, “A lot of people talk about that gentleman over there.”
“I have to say this is in a very positive way. Tim Scott, he was much better for me than he was for himself,” Trump said. “I watched his campaign and he doesn’t like to talk about himself, but boy, he talks about Trump.”
Vivek Ramaswamy
Trump has suggested that entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy would be a “very good” potential choice for vice president.
Like Scott, Ramaswamy also ran in the 2024 Republican primaries before dropping out and supporting Trump.
At just 38 years old, he was the youngest GOP candidate. Asked about Trump during his campaign, Ramaswamy said: “I think Trump has been an excellent president.”
Ramaswamy also highlighted Trump’s signature slogan “America First” during his run.
Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard is a former Democratic congresswoman who also ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primaries.
Gabbard has served in her Hawaii district since 2013. Now retired, she has increasingly leaned rightward, left the Democratic Party and, more recently, accused her former party of “fueling anti-racism.” white” and said it is also “hostile.” to people of faith and spirituality”,
Gabbard has said she will support candidates aligned with Trump in the 2024 election.
Byron Donalds
Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida is a staunch Trump supporter. So much so that in the 2024 primaries he supported Trump over the governor of his own state, Ron DeSantis.
Donalds said he would accept an invitation to become Trump’s vice president, adding that “it really depends on the president.”
Donalds describes himself as a “Trump-supporting, freedom-loving, pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment black man.”
He is also popular among conservatives.
***
Who will Donald Trump choose? Only he and perhaps a few others know.
But he’s starting with a strong list.
