Former President Trump stated on Saturday that he had a choice for vice president and that people would not be startled by his running mate.
When asked by Fox News top political anchor Bret Baier in New Hampshire when he will pick who will join him on the ticket if he wins the nomination, Trump replied, “Well, it’s never really had that much of an influence on an election, which is an amazing thing, both election and primary. “It has never had much of an impact.”
“I may or may not make a decision during the following few months. There’s no rush. It will have no impact at all. The person I believe I like is a very good person, very standard. I don’t believe people will be surprised, but there’s probably a 25% chance it’s that person,” Trump added.
When asked if Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who pulled out of the GOP primary contest in November and endorsed Trump on Friday, is on the list, Trump praised him as a “great guy” and cited other prominent luminaries from the Palmetto State.
“You know, [Scott] has recommended me. As an example, [Nikki Haley] and Tim Scott are both from South Carolina. But look at the governor, an excellent governor, and another senator, Lindsey Graham. “We happen to like Lindsey,” Trump explained.
“But [Gov. Henry McMaster (R)] understands it very well. He endorsed me. It’s challenging for a governor to endorse someone they haven’t personally met. Henry McMaster, her lieutenant governor, endorsed me. “What does that tell you?”
In a Fox News town hall in Iowa earlier this month, Trump stated that he would consider any of the candidates who competed against him.
“I’ve already started to like [Chris Christie] better,” Trump added, referring to the former New Jersey governor who withdrew from the primary earlier this month. Christie and Trump have had a turbulent relationship over the years, with Christie’s 2024 campaign focused primarily on bashing the previous president.
In terms of who might join him on the Republican ticket, Trump has mostly kept his cards close to his chest.
Several Trump loyalists have urged him to choose a female running mate, naming Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.