Donald Trump To End Suspense Over VP Pick On First Day Of Republican National Convention — Details

Former US president Donald Trump will reveal his vice presidential pick at the Republican National Convention. Trump's shortlist includes candidates such as JD Vance, Doug Burgum, and Marco Rubio.

File Photo of Former US president Donald Trump

Source : Getty Images

Former US president Donald Trump has announced plans to reveal his vice presidential pick on Monday, coinciding with the first day of the Republican National Convention. This decision follows a recent assassination attempt at his rally in Pennsylvania, which has raised the stakes for his selection process.

In a call with Fox News Channel host Bret Baier, Trump confirmed his intention to announce his running mate at the convention. A roll call vote to nominate the chosen candidate is expected on the same day,  AP reported citing an anonymous source with direct knowledge of the schedule. However, the AP source also cautioned that Trump could change his mind.

The assassination attempt has added considerable gravity to Trump's decision. The former US president narrowly escaped harm, as a bullet missed him by a small margin. This incident underscores the critical nature of selecting a vice president who is prepared to assume the presidency if necessary.

Trump emphasised the importance of this choice in a May interview with "The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show," stating, "You need somebody that can be good just in case, that horrible just in case."

In a separate interview with Fox News’ Harris Faulkner, taped hours before the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump highlighted the significance of the vice presidential role, particularly in the event of unforeseen circumstances. “It’s a very important position especially if something bad should happen,” he remarked. “That’s the most important, if something bad should happen.”

Donald Trump’s Shortlist For VP Candidates

Trump’s shortlist includes candidates with varying levels of experience. Ohio Senator JD Vance has been in office for less than two years, while North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum governs a state with a population smaller than Columbus, Ohio. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, with decades of political experience, is currently serving his third term in the Senate, AP reported.

Before the shooting incident, Trump had expressed his desire to reveal his vice presidential pick in a dramatic fashion at the convention, likening it to a sophisticated version of his reality show, "The Apprentice." In a radio interview last week, he quipped, “It’s like a highly sophisticated version of ‘The Apprentice.’”

Despite the recent events, Trump and convention organisers have decided to proceed with the RNC’s schedule as planned. Trump took to his social media site to assert that he would not allow the attempted assassination to alter the convention’s plans. “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” he wrote.

In the days leading up to the convention, Trump held meetings with the top contenders, all of whom have submitted their bios and photographs to the convention organisers, AP reported.