Former President Donald Trump said that his vice presidential pick will likely be announced in time for the Republican National Convention on July 15.
Trump spoke over the phone with Fox News' Sean Hannity on Monday for his first interview since participating in the presidential debate against President Joe Biden late last month. During the roughly 20-minute conversation, the former president took several shots at Biden's administration and addressed the fallout among Democrats since the first debate, where the president's performance sparked concerns about his chances of winning in November.
Hannity ended the interview by asking Trump about his vice presidential pick. Several prominent conservatives have been floated as a potential running mate for the former president in November, including Senators Mark Rubio of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, J.D. Vance of Ohio, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, as Hannity listed Monday.
Trump told Hannity that the names he listed are "absolutely under consideration" but he has not made a final decision. He added, however, that he think's he'll have a name chosen "probably within the next week," noting next week's start of the GOP convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"Probably a little before the convention, but not much," Trump said. "It could even be during the convention that we're doing it. I'd love to do it during the convention, I think it would be a very interesting buildup and important for the convention."
Trump went on to say that his choice "will be very, very good" and then gave two criteria for his vice presidential pick: Someone who "can do a fantastic job as president" and that "helps" him get reelected.
Newsweek reached out to Trump's campaign on Monday night via email for additional information.
Trump adviser Jason Miller told Fox News' Fox & Friends earlier Monday: "By this time next Monday, we will know who President Trump has selected as his running mate for the 2024 election."
"What President Trump has said is whoever he does pick, needs to be able to step in and do the job on Day One," Miller added. "Each of the different prospects has their own strengths and I think really can help chart the nation forward."
Trump said while speaking with Hannity that his campaign is also waiting to see if Democrats decide to replace Biden as their presidential nominee, saying it "might make a difference." At least nine sitting Democratic lawmakers have called on Biden to step down after his rough first debate to allow the party to choose another nominee before November. Vice President Kamala Harris is the top choice to replace Biden on the ballot.
Trump told Hannity that he has "come to believe" that Democrats will replace Biden with Harris but said that he doesn't expect the president to want to step down.
Biden and his campaign have been publicly defiant against calls for him to end his reelection bid.
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Kaitlin Lewis is a Newsweek reporter on the Night Team based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her focus is reporting on national ... Read more
