PHILADELPHIA — Former President Donald Trump said Saturday that he knows who his vice presidential nominee will be and gave a hint about his likely plans for debate night.
When asked by NBC News during a campaign stop in Philadelphia if he had decided who his vice presidential nominee would be, Trump responded, “in my opinion, yes,” adding that the person “very likely” will be in Thursday’s debate against the President Joe Biden.
“They will be there,” he continued. “I think a lot of people will come.”
Trump said “nobody knows” his choice yet. NBC News previously reported that Trump is focusing on Doug Burgum, JD Vance and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as potential front-runners for the job.
Sources familiar with the selection process told NBC News that Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, and Vance, the senator from Ohio, are considered the top two finalists. Rubio is still being considered, although a constitutional issue would require Trump or Rubio to establish residency outside of Florida.
Trump senior adviser Brian Hughes said in a statement that the campaign’s primary criteria for selecting a running mate “is a strong leader who will be a great president for eight years after his next four-year term concludes.” “.
Trump is holding informal policy sessions with confidants in the run-up to the debate, including potential vice presidential candidates. Vance has held a session with Trump about the economy and inflation, and Rubio had a discussion with Trump when the former president was in Washington earlier this month.
