Discussions inside the campaign have narrowed in recently on Vance and Rubio, and Burgum is also in the mix. Trump was asking about other names as recently as last week, according to people familiar with his thinking.
Vance’s absence from the rally — which is happening not far from the border in Ohio — is especially notable, since some Republicans had speculated that Trump might announce his pick at the rally. Trump held a rally earlier this week in Miami, where Rubio spoke.
Trump has also repeatedly indicated that he’s in no rush to roll out his pick, even as his campaign has been eyeing a running mate decision by Monday, the first day of the Republican National Convention.
In an interview Friday, Trump compared the running mate selection process to a “highly sophisticated version of ‘The Apprentice.’”
He added in that interview, on “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show,” that he’d “love to do it during the convention.”
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
