Former President Donald Trump said this week that he would not choose any of his current Republican rivals for the nomination as his vice presidential running mate. The decision, which would include his former Vice President Mike Pence and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, could indicate the former president’s mindset as he keeps a large lead in the race.
Trump made the comments during a trip to a trip to striking auto workers in Michigan. While speaking at a rally following a meeting with the workers, Trump said that his opponents were “running for a job. No, they’re all job candidates.”
He said that his opponents would “do anything, secretary of something, they even say V.P.”
"Does anybody see the VP in the group? I don't think so." https://t.co/kn0ChNWx9M
— IJR (@TheIJR) September 28, 2023
“Does anybody see the V.P. in the group? I don’t think so,” he said.
Trump’s comments came as seven Republican candidates gathered at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California for the second official debate of the primary season in Trump’s absence.
The former president holds a healthy lead in the race against his GOP rivals, regularly breaking more than 50% in national polling. None of the other rivals have reached 20% in recent national polling, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who was center stage at the debate Wednesday.
Trump had complimented Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) as a potential vice presidential pick in an interview this summer.
Previously, Trump indicated that he could consider Ramaswamy as a potential running mate.
Trump’s August comments described the entrepreneur as “great,” complimenting the candidate for calling him the “best president in a generation.”
“I have to like a guy like that,” Trump said.
The former president also called him a “very, very, very, intelligent person” with “good energy.”
When asked by popular radio host Glenn Beck about whether he would consider Ramaswamy for the second slot in the ticket he indicated that he may, adding that his rival “really distinguished himself.”
