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Trump campaign steps up vice presidential vetting efforts

6 Jun at 9:55 am

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Former President Donald Trump ‘s campaign has begun requesting information from his potential vice presidential candidates, sending vetting paperwork to a list of top contenders in recent weeks, according to two people familiar with the effort.

Quick Read

Trump Campaign’s VP Vetting Efforts: Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has begun vetting potential vice presidential candidates, requesting information from several top contenders.
Top Contenders: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, and Ben Carson have all received vetting paperwork.
Fluid List: Aides caution that the list of potential candidates is fluid and evolving, with the final decision resting with Trump.
Timing of Announcement: Trump has indicated he is in no hurry to announce his running mate and may wait until the Republican National Convention in July to make the final decision.
Recent Developments: The vetting process comes shortly after Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in a Manhattan criminal trial.
Public Mentions: In a recent Newsmax appearance, Trump mentioned Scott, Burgum, Rubio, Vance, and Carson as among those being considered for the vice presidential slot.

The Associated Press has the story:

Trump campaign steps up vice presidential vetting efforts

Newslooks- NEW YORK (AP) —

FILE – North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks at a campaign rally with Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump in Laconia, N.H., Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Among those who have received requests are North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, according to one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the outreach.

FILE – Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks in front of President Donald Trump during a campaign rally, Feb. 28, 2020, in North Charleston, S.C. Scott is expected to endorse former President Trump ahead of the New Hampshire GOP primary taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. A person familiar with Scott’s plans confirmed Friday, Jan. 19, to The Associated Press that Scott would travel from Florida to New Hampshire with Trump, the GOP front runner. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik and Trump’s 2016 rival-turned cabinet member Ben Carson were also said to be on the list.

FILE – Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., talks at the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on “Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University’s Response to Antisemitism” on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

Various levels of paperwork have been exchanged with each, the second person said.

Representatives for the candidates did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Aides have cautioned Trump’s list is fluid and evolving and the decision will be up to him.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., who has been nominated for Speaker of the House, turns to listen to a reporter’s question while speaking to members of the media on the House steps, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The news comes a week after Trump was found guilty by a jury in Manhattan of 34 counts of falsifying business records in his criminal hush money trial. He’s set to be sentenced next month.

Trump has said he is in no hurry to announce his running mate, and could wait until the Republican National Convention in July to unveil the person who will serve with him on the GOP ticket.