Who’s the Trump VP Decide? Odds for Each Shortlist Candidate

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Trump’s allies are reportedly urging him to choose a lady or a Black man as his operating mate, and Tim Scott is the one Black Republican within the Senate. In distinction to Trump’s imaginative and prescient of “American carnage,” Scott is persistently described as a “sunny” and “optimistic” man (although he’s really fairly into partisan warfare).
CONS: Scott’s efficiency within the 2024 GOP main was unimpressive; although he raised practically $46 million for his marketing campaign, primarily from giant donors, he dropped out months earlier than voting began. Trump doesn’t want Scott to win South Carolina, as Republicans have received the state in 13 of the final 14 presidential elections. Trump is reportedly involved that Scott is just too hard-line on abortion — notably now that he’s adopted a “states rights” place on the problem. The senator has stated he’ll “signal probably the most conservative pro-life laws that they’ll get by way of Congress,” suggesting he’s in favor of a nationwide abortion ban.
LOYALTY CHECK: Scott voted to certify Biden’s 2020 win, nonetheless thinks Mike Pence “did the best factor” on January 6, and dared to problem Trump within the 2024 race. However he could have erased any sick will when he endorsed Trump forward of the New Hampshire main, although Nikki Haley launched his Senate profession. When Trump highlighted this awkward truth throughout his primary-night victory speech, Scott delivered some grade-A groveling, telling Trump he doesn’t hate anybody, “I simply love you!”
“LOOK” CHECK: Did Tim Scott get engaged to his thriller girlfriend, Mindy Noce, then feed the story to the Washington Put up in a matter of hours simply because he was anxious that Trump wouldn’t just like the look of a bachelor VP? Possibly!
TRUMP’S STANCE: When requested about potential VP picks in February 2024, Trump talked about Scott and Noem (although he stated he didn’t need folks to make “any inference” from the title drop). “Lots of people like Tim Scott — I referred to as him, and I stated, ‘You’re a a lot better candidate for me than you might be for your self,’” Trump stated, noting that Scott additionally gave him a “lovely endorsement.” Scott was among the many six folks Trump (offhandedly) confirmed are on his shortlist throughout a February 20 Fox Information city corridor.
SCOTT’S STANCE: Scott initially claimed he had no real interest in being anybody’s VP. However he reversed course in late January 2024, saying “you’ll be able to take it any approach you need” when CNN famous he appeared open to being Trump’s operating mate. In mid-Could he hinted that he’s a prime VP contender, saying in a Newsmax interview, “I hear there’s a debate in July. If you happen to’re the man moderating, possibly I’ll be speaking to you.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Picture: Getty

PROS: Like Trump, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is a rich political outsider. He’s value a whole bunch of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}, primarily as a result of he bought his software program firm to Microsoft in 2002. “He’s a wealthy man with wealthy pals,” a Republican near the Trump marketing campaign informed the Wall Road Journal. “That goes a great distance with Trump.” Burgum raised his nationwide profile a bit by operating within the 2024 GOP presidential primaries, however he definitely wouldn’t outshine Trump. Axios reported on April 28 that Burgum is transferring up the checklist as a result of Trump “likes Burgum’s measured demeanor and his gubernatorial expertise — and sees Burgum as dependable and low-drama.”
CONS: Burgum’s presidential run confirmed voters have little curiosity in him; he dropped out after failing to qualify for the third debate. He didn’t elevate a lot cash for his 2024 marketing campaign, although he was prepared to spend his personal cash on shopping for donors. As a rich white man from a pink state Burgum wouldn’t assist Trump win over any extra constituencies.
LOYALTY CHECK: Burgum largely averted attacking Trump throughout his presidential marketing campaign, and he endorsed the previous president shortly after dropping out of the race. He attended Trump’s hush cash trial, together with a number of different VP prospects, to indicate his assist.
“LOOK” CHECK: Burgum may play a generic VP on a prime-time TV drama so he in all probability passes this check.
TRUMP’S STANCE: After profitable the Iowa Caucus in January, Trump stated of Burgum, “He’s among the best governors in our nation, and I hope that I’m going to have the ability to name on him to be a chunk of the administration, an important piece of the administration.” However that would imply he’s eyeing him for a Cupboard place. Whereas commenting on numerous VP prospects at a personal luncheon in Could 2024 Trump stated of Burgum, “I didn’t know this: He was a supporter of my two campaigns. He’s a really wealthy man.”
BURGUM’S STANCE: Whereas campaigning Burgum stated he wouldn’t function Trump’s operating mate and wasn’t operating for a Cupboard publish. In January 2024 he introduced he isn’t searching for a 3rd time period as governor and appeared extra open to the concept of serving in a Trump administration, although he referred to as that “hypothetical at this cut-off date.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Picture: Getty

PROS: Marco Rubio is a younger but skilled politician, and a well known determine nationally. He’s serving his third time period as U.S. senator from Florida and ran for president in 2016. He could be the primary Latino particular person on a major-party presidential ticket, which can assist Trump with that essential voting bloc. He’s additionally constructed a sturdy fundraising community for himself.
CONS: The Structure prohibits electors from voting for each a president and VP from their residence state, so both Trump or Rubio must transfer. The Bulwark reported that Trump has no real interest in altering his state of residence to accommodate a VP decide, however Rubio is up for it.
LOYALTY CHECK: Whereas they’ve now patched issues up, Rubio stated lots of nasty issues about Trump in the course of the 2016 marketing campaign. Plus, Trump memorably dubbed him “Little Marco,” which led to a mortifying debate trade in regards to the dimension of the 2 candidates’ genitals. In contrast to many different VP prospects, Rubio didn’t attend Trump’s hush cash trial. The senator has typically run a low-key marketing campaign, and in line with the Instances, “The delicate contact has perplexed Mr. Trump, who has privately questioned how a lot the senator needs the job.”
“LOOK” CHECK: Rubio was described as “telegenic” in a NBC Information report that claimed he’s transferring up Trump’s quick checklist. However whereas People have seen lots of Rubio on their screens, they could bear in mind him finest for his robotic debate efficiency and lack of ability to sip water gracefully.
TRUMP’S STANCE: Whereas commenting on numerous VP prospects at a personal luncheon in Could 2024 Trump stated of Rubio, “His title is arising lots for vp!”
RUBIO’S STANCE: In March the senator claimed he was unaware that he’s on Trump’s quick checklist — however he’s into it. “If anyone has been provided the prospect to be vp, they need to think about that an honor and an unimaginable alternative to serve our nation. However that hasn’t occurred, I haven’t spoken to anyone on his marketing campaign about it,” Rubio stated. “By no means as soon as have I talked to [Trump] about vice presidency.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Picture: Getty

PROS: Tom Cotton is a Harvard educated Military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Could 2024 the New York Instances reported that Cotton has moved to the highest of Trump’s VP checklist as a consequence of these credentials, and since Trump considers the senator a “dependable and efficient communicator in cable information interviews.”
CONS: Trump doesn’t want Cotton’s assist to win Arkansas. His earlier endorsement of a nationwide abortion ban after 20 weeks of being pregnant is at odds with Trump’s “let the states resolve” stance. He urged Trump to deploy the U.S. army towards protesters in 2020, which can be a tad too authoritarian for some voters.
LOYALTY CHECK: Cotton voted to certify Joe Biden’s 2020 election win, however so did another prime Trump VP contenders, together with Rubio and Scott.
“LOOK” CHECK: Clearly Cotton just isn’t a lady or an individual of coloration, however neither are many of the guys topping Trump’s checklist in the mean time.
TRUMP’S STANCE: Trump has but to touch upon the Cotton for VP hypothesis.
COTTON’S STANCE: Cotton dodged when requested about serving in a second Trump administration in a Could Fox Information interview, saying, “I believe solely Donald Trump is aware of who is absolutely on his quick checklist.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Trump must win Ohio once more in 2024. Who higher to assist him than J.D. Vance, the state’s freshman senator, who actually wrote the e book on the MAGA base (at the very least within the view of bewildered liberals who turned to Hillbilly Elegy after Trump’s 2016 win)?
CONS: Lots of people, really. Trump received Ohio twice with out Vance’s assist. And within the 2022 Senate race, Vance’s campaigning and fundraising expertise have been unimpressive. That November he “underperformed the eight different Republicans on the statewide poll by greater than 11 factors,” because the Washington Put up famous.
LOYALTY CHECK: In 2016, Vance declared himself a “By no means Trump man” and questioned if Trump is likely to be “America’s Hitler.” Then throughout his 2022 Senate marketing campaign he underwent a shocking MAGA conversion. Trump remarked at a 2022 Vance rally, “J.D. is kissing my ass he needs my assist so a lot.” Extra just lately, Vance stated he would have rejected Biden-won states’ electoral votes on January 6 if he had been in Mike Pence’s footwear. Vance attended Trump’s hush cash trial, together with a number of different VP prospects, to indicate his assist.
“LOOK” CHECK: If Trump actually is searching for a lady or an individual of coloration, Vance isn’t his man (or gal).
TRUMP’S STANCE: Though Trump campaigned for Vance in 2022, he’s by no means appeared that impressed together with his belated flip to Trumpism. At one other midterms rally, Trump stated of Vance, “He’s a man that stated some unhealthy shit about me … However I’ve to do what I’ve to do.” Whereas commenting on numerous VP prospects at a personal luncheon in Could 2024 Trump stated of Vance, “He wasn’t a supporter of mine on the very starting … He was saying issues like ‘the man’s a complete catastrophe’ … any methods I obtained to know him slightly bit … As a non politician, he’s develop into one of many nice senators.”
VANCE’S STANCE: Whereas campaigning for Trump in January 2024, he stated, “One of the best place for me is to truly be an advocate of the agenda in the US Senate.” However he added, “Actually, if the president requested, I might have to consider it, as a result of I wish to assist him.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Because the fourth-ranking member in Home GOP management, Elise Stefanik may assist Trump do the components of the job that don’t curiosity him, like working with Congress and articulating the GOP platform. She’s additionally a proficient fundraiser. Including a 39-year-old lady to the Republican ticket may theoretically allay any issues voters — and notably suburban ladies — might need about reelecting a 77-year-old man who was discovered accountable for sexual abuse and repeatedly accused of sexual misconduct.
CONS: The New York congresswoman can’t ship her residence state for Trump. And with its excessive turnover price, maybe the GOP Home management can’t afford to lose a reliable lady.
LOYALTY CHECK: Through the 2016 marketing campaign, Stefanik harshly criticized Trump for his incendiary rhetoric and coverage views, saying he “has been insulting to ladies.” However after she began rising within the GOP management, she morphed right into a MAGA cheerleader. Trump could recognize that Stefanik is seemingly so determined to be his operating mate that she’ll say absolutely anything, from bemoaning the plight of the J6 “hostages” to blaming the media for the jury’s verdict within the E. Jean Carroll case. However her earlier anti-Trump sentiments would definitely trigger complications for his marketing campaign.
“LOOK” CHECK: Stefanik is a white lady from Albany of Italian and Czech heritage, however who is aware of if Trump considers the final title “Stefanik” “too ethnic.”
TRUMP’S STANCE: He reportedly nodded and stated, “She’s a killer,” when Stefanik’s title got here up as a possible VP decide throughout a December 2023 dinner with Mar-a-Lago members. Whereas commenting on numerous VP prospects at a personal luncheon in Could 2024 Trump referred to as Stefanik, “A really sensible particular person,” including, “She was in upstate New York once I met her … little did we understand she could be such a giant issue.”
STEFANIK’S STANCE: When requested if she’d be Trump’s operating mate, Stefanik stated, “In fact, I’d be honored … to serve in a future Trump administration in any capability.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Picture: Getty

PROS: Since leaving the Democratic Celebration in 2022, former U.S. consultant Tulsi Gabbard has develop into a daily at right-wing venues like Fox Information and CPAC. She may give the GOP ticket a sheen of bipartisanship, and function a reputable critic of her outdated get together, which she attacked as “underneath the entire management of an elitist cabal of warmongers pushed by cowardly wokeness.”
CONS: Gabbard could be a bizarre and dangerous Trump decide. She endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016 and backed Biden in 2020 after ending her personal presidential bid.
LOYALTY CHECK: Extremely suspect. She hasn’t even endorsed Trump and appeared fairly enthusiastic about the potential of being RFK Jr.’s VP (till he went with Nicole Shanahan).
“LOOK” CHECK: This might be the least bizarre facet of Trump choosing Gabbard for VP. She’s a younger, telegenic lady of coloration, so she checks a number of bins on this entrance.
TRUMP’S STANCE: Trump appeared to verify he’s contemplating Gabbard, although he didn’t point out her by title. She was on a listing of potential picks instructed to Trump by Laura Ingraham in February; he replied “all of these individuals are good. They’re all stable.”
GABBARD’S STANCE: When requested in a March 2024 Fox Information interview if she’d think about being Trump’s operating mate she stated, “I might be open to that.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Kristi Noem has impeccable MAGA credentials. She has authorities expertise however is not any creature of “the swamp”; she served as South Dakota’s sole consultant within the U.S. Home for eight years earlier than she was elected because the state’s first feminine governor in 2018. In 2020, she gained nationwide consideration for relieving up on COVID restrictions quicker than different governors and supporting Trump’s election-fraud lies. Noem has been issuing orders and laws that put her on the middle of sizzling culture-war points, reminiscent of banning “vital race concept” and concentrating on transgender folks. She was additionally the highest decide for VP (tied with Vivek Ramaswamy) amongst attendees on the 2024 CPAC.
CONS: South Dakota is a solidly pink state with solely three Electoral School votes. In 2023, a number of shops reported that the married mom of three was having an “absurdly blatant” affair with Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski (she’s denied this). Trump is reportedly involved that Noem is just too strict on abortion; she has referred to as herself an “absolutist” on the problem and has defended the dearth of rape and incest exceptions in her state’s excessive abortion ban. In April, Puck reported that after touchdown on his “states rights” abortion stance Trump determined to cross abortion extremists off his quick checklist — and meaning Noem. A short while later the governor began distancing herself from her state’s abortion regulation; she declined to say whether or not she personally believes in rape and incest exceptions and stated, “I believe that each state goes to look completely different” on abortion. Oh, and Noem is an admitted canine killer. In her new e book she tells a bizarre story about fatally capturing Cricket, her 14-month outdated pet. She’s defended the transfer, however an individual near the Trump marketing campaign informed Semafor, “Governor Noem simply retains proving time and again that she’s a light-weight … We will’t afford a Kamala drawback.”
LOYALTY CHECK: She will usually be seen on Newsmax, Fox Information, and different right-wing shops nearly overtly campaigning for the job of Trump’s VP.
“LOOK” CHECK: Noem passes with flying colours. She’s a former farm woman and magnificence queen whose current memoir, Not My First Rodeo, is “chock-full of folksy idioms and Bible verses,” per The Atlantic.
TRUMP’S STANCE: He talked about Noem (together with Tim Scott) as a possible VP decide in February 2024, saying she’s “been unimaginable combating” for him. Noem was among the many six folks Trump (offhandedly) confirmed are on his shortlist throughout a February 20 Fox Information city corridor. Noem met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on February 27. Whereas commenting on numerous VP prospects at a personal luncheon in Could 2024 Trump referred to as Noem, “Someone that I really like,” including, “She’s been with me, a supporter of mine and I’ve been a supporter of hers for a very long time. “
NOEM’S STANCE: When Newsmax requested her if she’d think about a proposal to be Trump’s VP, she stated “Oh, completely. I might in a heartbeat.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Vivek Ramaswamy might be the most effective of each worlds for Trump. Demographically, he’s the alternative of the aged white Florida man: a younger Indian American from Ohio. However spiritually, Ramaswamy is Trump’s clone; his presidential marketing campaign was all about railing towards “wokeness” and passionately defending the previous president. And he was additionally the co–prime decide for VP within the 2024 CPAC straw ballot.
CONS: The biotech entrepreneur has no political expertise and veered into extremism towards the top of his presidential marketing campaign (for instance, he referred to as January 6 an “inside job” and embraced the “nice substitute” concept). And the extra People noticed of him, the much less they favored him. Shortly after Ramaswamy launched his candidacy final spring, 18 % of People seen him favorably, whereas 13 % seen him unfavorably, in line with FiveThirtyEight’s polling averages. After a marketing campaign efficiency that many discovered glib and obnoxious, these numbers flipped. At present his common is 36 % unfavorable to 24 % favorable.
LOYALTY CHECK: Ramaswamy praised Trump effusively even after they have been main opponents and demanded that different GOP candidates signal his pledge to pardon Trump. It more and more appeared that Ramaswamy was operating for a spot in Trump’s administration, not the presidency. Ramaswamy attended Trump’s hush cash trial, together with a number of different VP prospects, to indicate his assist.
“LOOK” CHECK: Can you actually image Trump placing “Ramaswamy” on a bumper sticker?
TRUMP’S STANCE: When requested about Ramaswamy as VP in August 2023, Trump praised his obsequiousness and commented, “He’s obtained good power, and he might be in some type of one thing. I inform ya, I believe he’d be excellent.” When chants of “VP, VP, VP” broke out for Ramaswamy throughout a January 2024 rally, Trump responded, “He’s going to be working with us for a very long time.” Ramaswamy was among the many six folks Trump (offhandedly) confirmed are on his shortlist throughout a February 20 Fox Information city corridor. Nonetheless, on March 18 Bloomberg reported that Trump has dominated out Ramaswamy as his operating mate: “Trump personally informed Ramaswamy he received’t be his vice presidential decide, in line with folks briefed on the dialogue, however is contemplating him for posts together with Homeland Safety secretary.”
RAMASWAMY’S STANCE: When requested if he’d be Trump’s operating mate hours after ending his personal presidential marketing campaign in January, Ramaswamy stated he’d “consider no matter is finest for the way forward for this nation.”

Picture-Illustration: Intelligencer; Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Photographs

PROS: Choosing Texas governor Greg Abbott as his operating mate would amplify Trump’s border-security messaging. He’s repeatedly clashed with the Biden administration over border coverage, rising his nationwide recognition and boosting his job-approval score in Texas. He’s an skilled politician and a robust fundraiser.
CONS: A few of Abbott’s insurance policies could also be too harsh for swing voters. He signed into regulation one of many strictest abortion bans within the nation, and critics say his anti-migrant insurance policies are inhumane.
LOYALTY CHECK: Whereas Abbott isn’t as sycophantic as another Texas officers, he and Trump typically have a stable relationship.
“LOOK” CHECK: Abbott has used a wheelchair since 1984, when he was paralyzed from the waist down after a tree fell on him whereas he was jogging. It could be nice if this didn’t determine into Trump’s determination, however he has expressed some fairly horrifying views about disabled folks.
TRUMP’S STANCE: Throughout a joint interview with Abbott and Trump after their go to to the southern border on February 29, Sean Hannity requested if the governor might be Trump’s operating mate. “He’s performed an awesome job,” Trump stated. “Yeah, definitely he could be any individual that I might very a lot think about.” When Hannity requested if he’s on the quick checklist, Trump replied “completely.”
ABBOTT’S STANCE: Abbott downplayed the concept of turning into Trump’s VP at a press convention after the border go to. “Clearly, it’s very good of him to say, however I believe you all know that my focus is solely on the state of Texas,” he stated. “As you understand, I’m working proper now on the midterm-election course of. I’ve already talked about that I’ve introduced that I’m operating for reelection two years from now, and so my dedication is to Texas and I’m staying in Texas.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Carson has a compelling backstory: he grew up in poverty and have become a famend neurosurgeon. He ran towards Trump within the 2016 presidential election, elevating his nationwide profile, then turned Trump’s Housing and City Improvement secretary and one among his most loyal surrogates. He may theoretically assist Trump enchantment to Black and Christian voters.
CONS: Carson has a low-key talking type; he wouldn’t outshine Trump however he wouldn’t add a lot power to the ticket both. Carson in contrast abortion to slavery and stated he needs the process outlawed with no exceptions for circumstances of rape or incest, which conflicts with Trump’s “states rights” stance.
LOYALTY CHECK: Carson was one of many few unique Cupboard officers who caught with Trump all through his time period, even after Capitol riot.
“LOOK” CHECK: Presumably somebody with the HUD secretary “look” is also Trump’s VP.
TRUMP’S STANCE: He hasn’t commented on Carson as his 2024 VP decide.
CARSON’S STANCE: When requested about being Trump’s operating mate in February 2024, Carson stated, “I actually haven’t put lots of thought into it.” However he left the door open, including, “I’ll think about what we will do to avoid wasting our nation.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida is seen as a rising star within the GOP. The 45-year-old is one among solely 5 Black Republicans at present serving in Congress; he may doubtlessly assist Trump enchantment to Black voters and younger folks.
CONS: Donalds is inexperienced: he’s solely in his second time period and he doesn’t have a lot of a nationwide profile. He was additionally arrested for distribution of marijuana and bribery when he was youthful. As with Rubio, Trump choosing a fellow Floridian as his operating mate would create a constitutional drawback for the marketing campaign.
LOYALTY CHECK: He’s been a MAGA loyalist since he was elected in 2016, and in 2020 he endorsed Trump over Florida governor DeSantis. However CNN dug up quite a few social media posts and interviews from round 2011 and 2012 through which Donalds criticized Trump. Donalds attended Trump’s hush cash trial, together with a number of different VP prospects, to indicate his assist.
“LOOK” CHECK: The final title “Donalds” may go both approach. “Trump-Donalds” seems slightly foolish on a bumper sticker, however Trump could take pleasure in seeing his personal first title on the ticket twice.
TRUMP’S STANCE: Whereas commenting on numerous VP prospects at a personal luncheon in Could 2024 Trump referred to as Donalds, “Someone who’s created one thing very particular politically … I like variety. Diversité as you’d say. I like diversité. [Donors] value hundreds of thousands of {dollars} … all need a piece of Byron.”
DONALDS’ STANCE: When requested if he’d settle for an invite to be Trump’s operating mate, the congressman stated, “I imply, who wouldn’t?”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Like Noem, Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the primary lady elected to guide her state. And like Stefanik, the 41-year-old is among the youngest and most well-known ladies within the GOP, so she may theoretically assist Trump win over suburban ladies. Plus, Trump’s former White Home press secretary already has loads of expertise defending his document.
CONS: Will suburban ladies love Sanders’s aggressively pro-life stance? Maybe not. Puck reported that Sanders moved even decrease on Trump’s checklist after he landed on his “states rights” abortion stance. Additionally, Sanders isn’t very fashionable, even in Arkansas. A current ballot discovered her job-approval score is simply 48 %, the bottom for any governor within the state since her father Mike Huckabee’s score of 47 % in 2003. And the scandal over her workplace’s buy of a $19,000 podium is ongoing.
LOYALTY CHECK: Whereas Sanders remained impartial within the 2024 GOP main longer than another VP contenders, she ultimately endorsed Trump in November 2023, describing him as “my former boss, my pal, and all people’s favourite president.”
“LOOK” CHECK: It appears she meets Trump’s requirements as she served because the face of his administration for 2 years.
TRUMP’S STANCE: He endorsed Sanders’s gubernatorial bid however didn’t say something constructive about her whereas denying studies that she initially declined to again his 2024 marketing campaign.
SANDERS’S STANCE: When requested in regards to the prospect of serving as VP on Face the Nation in January 2024, Sanders stated, “Look, I completely love the job I’ve. I believe it’s among the best jobs I may ever ask for, and I’m honored to function governor, and I hope I get to do it for the following seven years.” So both she’s making an attempt to play it cool or she genuinely isn’t .

Picture-Illustration: Intelligencer; Picture: Getty

PROS: Katie Britt, a freshman senator from Alabama, is the youngest Republican lady ever elected to the Senate. She can be the one mom of school-aged youngsters within the Senate Republican Convention. She has a son in eighth grade and a daughter in ninth grade along with her husband, Wesley Britt, a former offensive sort out for the New England Patriots. Britt raised her nationwide profile when she got here out in favor of authorized protections for IVF when an Alabama Supreme Court docket ruling shut down IVF companies within the state, then delivered the GOP response to Biden’s 2024 State of the Union tackle.
CONS: Britt’s SOTU response was horrible. “It’s one among our largest disasters ever,” a GOP strategist informed the Every day Beast. Additionally, she has held public workplace for lower than a yr and Trump doesn’t want her assist to win Alabama.
LOYALTY CHECK: As former chief of employees to longtime senator Richard Shelby, Britt has a relatively “swampy” previous. However she managed to get Trump’s endorsement over his crony Mo Brooks in 2022, occurring to win her former boss’s seat when he retired.
“LOOK CHECK”: On paper, Britt is precisely who the GOP needs because the face of the get together. However she in all probability ruined her VP possibilities along with her poor supply of the GOP SOTU rebuttal.
TRUMP’S STANCE: Trump hasn’t stated something about Britt as a possible operating mate.
BRITT’S STANCE: She dodged the query when CBS Information This Morning requested about her VP aspirations in November 2023, saying, “Oh, goodness, I’m simply working exhausting within the U.S. Senate.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: The previous TV-news anchor turned Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is such an efficient MAGA cheerleader that The Atlantic proclaimed her the “main woman” of Trumpism. She additionally received a straw ballot for Republican VP decide at CPAC.
CONS: Lake misplaced Arizona’s 2022 gubernatorial election for the GOP (although, like Trump, she baselessly forged herself because the sufferer of election fraud). She’s at present operating within the 2024 Arizona Senate race, which would appear to take her out of the operating for VP. (Nonetheless, Vainness Truthful studies that her frequent journeys out of state have fueled hypothesis that she nonetheless has her eye on VP.)
LOYALTY CHECK: Is it potential to like Trump an excessive amount of? Lake appears to be on a mission to seek out out. She’s overtly gushed about his “BDE” and personally vacuumed a pink carpet for Trump.
“LOOK” CHECK: She’s undeniably telegenic and could also be what AI would churn out if requested to conjure the proper MAGA operating mate.
TRUMP’S STANCE: In January 2024, Trump stated Lake could be fantastic — within the Senate. “She’s terrific,” Trump stated at a rally. “She’ll be a senator — an awesome senator, I predict, proper? You’re going to be an awesome senator.”
LAKE’S STANCE: In November 2023, her marketing campaign spokesperson stated she’s “centered on profitable her Senate race in Arizona. And she or he seems ahead to casting her vote in Arizona for president Trump and whoever he selects as VP.”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Standing subsequent to two-term Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene may make Trump look sane and measured.
CONS: Her choice would flip the 2024 election right into a nationwide debate over the capabilities of secret Jewish house lasers.
LOYALTY CHECK: She’s arguably Trump’s most rabid defender in Congress. And if any of her colleagues do argue along with her, she could name them a “little bitch.”
“LOOK” CHECK: Choosing the QAnon congresswoman would positively be a wild search for the Trump marketing campaign, however that has nothing to do along with her look.
TRUMP’S STANCE: He’s clearly an enormous MTG fan — he’s publicly referred to as her “sensible” and “a badass” — however that doesn’t imply he’s making her VP. A number of Trump-world sources informed Rolling Stone that he’s not “silly sufficient” to make her his operating mate.
GREENE’S STANCE: She’s overtly fanned the “MTG for VP” hypothesis. In August 2023, she informed The Guardian, “It’s talked about often and I do know my title is on a listing however actually my largest focus proper now’s serving the district that elected me.” That very same month, she mused to the Atlanta Journal Structure, “I’ve lots of issues to consider. Am I going to be part of President Trump’s Cupboard if he wins? Is it potential that I’ll be VP?”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: Pundit Tucker Carlson was a pillar of the Fox Information prime-time lineup till he was fired in April 2023, so he’d carry an enormous quantity of star energy to the Trump marketing campaign. Additionally, Melania Trump reportedly likes him as VP.
CONS: Carlson is beloved by the “most nativist, paranoid, and bigoted constituents within the Republican Celebration,” as Jonathan Chait put it. However swing voters won’t be as charmed by a man who’s embraced the “nice substitute” concept by title. Additionally, the very last thing Trump needs is a operating mate who would possibly outshine him.
LOYALTY CHECK: Although he later backtracked, we realized from the Fox Information–Dominion Voting Methods defamation go well with that Tucker informed colleagues by way of textual content that he sees Trump as a “demonic drive” and a “destroyer,” including, “I hate him passionately.” So let’s put him down as “not that loyal.”
“LOOK” CHECK: If Trump is okay with seeing lots of memes that includes his operating mate’s “dumbfounded face,” Carlson ought to be advantageous.
TRUMP’S STANCE: When requested about Carlson for VP in November 2023, Trump responded, “I like Tucker lots. I assume I might think about him. He’s obtained nice widespread sense.” In January 2024, Donald Trump Jr. stated the Carlson was nonetheless “on the desk” and he “would definitely be a contender” for VP.
CARLSON’S STANCE: He appeared to shoot down the concept in a December 2023 interview, saying, “I simply don’t suppose I’m actually fitted to that. I imply, would anybody wish to see a man like me run for workplace?”

Graphic: Intelligencer; Pictures: Getty

PROS: He pitched himself to Republicans as a much less erratic, not dumb Trump clone. So who higher to step up if Trump turns into incapacitated?
CONS: DeSantis embarrassed himself by operating an incompetent 2024 presidential marketing campaign. Placing two demagogic Florida males on the GOP ticket doesn’t make any sense — and it might even be unconstitutional!
LOYALTY CHECK: DeSantis fails this significant check. He grudgingly bent the knee to Trump by endorsing him as he dropped out of the race days earlier than the New Hampshire main. Which may be sufficient to serve in a future Trump administration however he hasn’t groveled exhausting sufficient to be VP.
“LOOK” CHECK: No person needs a VP who eats pudding together with his fingers.
TRUMP’S STANCE: DeSantis was one of many six folks Trump (offhandedly) confirmed are on his shortlist throughout a February 20 Fox Information city corridor, which is the one purpose there’s been a surge in “DeSantis for VP” chatter.
DeSANTIS’S STANCE: DeSantis seemingly took himself out of the operating a day later when he stated on a personal name to supporters, “I’m not doing that,” then made some flippantly insulting remarks about Trump, the folks operating his marketing campaign, and the right-wing media normally.