Former President Donald Trump said at a town hall in Iowa on Wednesday that he’s made up his mind about a running mate for the 2024 presidential election—though he declined to reveal the potential future vice president’s identity.
During the event, President Trump was asked about who’s in contention as a running mate on the 2024 Republican presidential ticket—assuming he wins the nomination.
“Well, I can’t tell you that, really,” President Trump replied, before adding, “I mean, I know who it’s going to be.”
Asked to “give us a hint,” President Trump declined, saying, “we'll do another show sometime” about the matter.
The former president, who’s the frontrunner by far for the Republican nomination, was asked if he'd be willing to consider any of those running against him in the primary and “mend fences” with those from whom he’s faced sharp criticism.
“Oh sure, I will, I will,” President Trump replied, suggesting he wouldn’t hold grudges. “I’ve already started to like Christie better,” he continued, drawing smiles from the moderators and cheers from the audience.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who’s been perhaps the most vocal detractor of the former president, dropped out of the primary race earlier that day.
“Christie for vice president?” one of the moderators, Fox News’ Martha MacCallum, then asked in jest.
“I don’t see it,” President Trump replied. “That would be an upset,” he added, drawing laughter from the audience.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is polling in second place with 11.3 percent, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with 10.9 percent.
VP Chatter
As the primaries grind on and the field narrows, talk of a possible Trump running mate has increased—though the former president has kept his running-mate choice under wraps.“Are you leaning toward a woman?” NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker asked President Trump in a mid-September interview.
“I like the concept, but we’re going to pick the best person,” President Trump replied. “But I do like the concept, yes.”
Rumors have long swirled that President Trump was considering a woman as his running mate in order to court the female suburban vote that some strategists believe would be key to beating President Joe Biden.
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon said he thinks a woman is destined for the role.
‘Not a Plan B Person’
There’s been speculation about other potential VP picks, including Mr. Ramaswamy—after President Trump indicated that he was open to the idea of having him as a potential running mate.“I think that I’m not a plan B person,” Mr. Ramaswamy said. “I didn’t get to where I am—I’m 38 years old, I’ve found multiple multi-billion dollar companies, we’re blessed with the American dream to be able to self-fiance and lift this campaign up.”
“I respect Trump and his accomplishments for this country,” he said. “Unlike a lot of the other candidates, I’m not sitting here Monday morning quarterbacking some decision he made.”
President Trump recently said that he expects Mr. Ramaswamy will eventually endorse him for president—but not quite yet.
“He will, I am sure, Endorse me,” President Trump wrote in a recent post on Truth Social, in which he shared an article revealing that Mr. Ramaswamy’s campaign had stopped spending money on TV ads.
“But Vivek is a good man, and is not done yet!” the former president added.
