Contenders in the veepstakes race generate buzz with leaks and manipulation.

Trump's vice presidential campaign includes joint press conferences, rallies, and courthouse appearances.

Contenders in the veepstakes race generate buzz with leaks and manipulation.
Contenders in the veepstakes race generate buzz with leaks and manipulation.

The leak-fueled orchestration by Republicans running for vice president is a classic cabaret of media and political intrigue.

The "short list" of significant names, as imagined by Donald Trump, has experienced a surge in media attention due to speculation about their potential role as vice president or through the support of surrogates.

The Trump campaign is amused by the auditions and happy to let them play out. In some cases, Trump wants these tryouts, which include joint speaking appearances, network interviews, and appearing at the hush money trial to defend the indicted former president.

Doug Burgum
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum encourages voters to support Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in the basement ballroom of The Margate Resort on January 22, 2024 in Laconia, New Hampshire. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Journalists, unable to find anything else to report on, have turned the presidential race into a horse race and are vulnerable to rumors about the candidates' perceived chances.

The Trump team is aware that different strategists and allies are promoting certain names, but they don't care about the motivation as long as they support Trump.

The former president's camp believes that everyone is working together harmoniously, rather than criticizing one another, resulting in a strong team spirit. It is believed that many of those who were not chosen for key positions will ultimately receive Cabinet posts or other administration jobs.

Since his presidential campaign failed, Tim Scott has been publicly seeking the nomination. However, Trump has been dismissive, stating that the Senate's only black Republican does a better job advocating for him than for himself but is a "high-quality person." Trump has accused Joe Biden of pandering to blacks, but Scott's mild-mannered approach may be a hindrance.

Still, the senator is included near the top of every media list.

North Dakota Governor and tech entrepreneur Doug Burgum, who has been running for president, has gone missing. However, there is now news that Trump has expressed interest in him.

The Washington Post reports that Trump's allies have discussed Burgum as a potential vice-presidential candidate, while also warning that the list of candidates is still extensive.

Doug Burgum, a wealthy, devoted, and attractive individual, is being considered as Vice President by Donald Trump.

As a surprise, Doug Burgum has emerged as a top contender to be former President Trump's vice presidential candidate.

In 2016, Marco Rubio, who had previously lost to Trump, gained recognition after performing well at a donor event.

According to six sources, Sen. Marco Rubio is being considered as a potential vice presidential candidate by former President Donald Trump.

Marco Rubio is being favored by donors to be Donald Trump's running mate, as the latter seeks candidates who can broaden his support and aid in funding his presidential campaign and legal expenses.

Rubio questions Blinken
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., questions Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing on the proposed budget FY2024 for the State Department in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The Florida senator has proposed relocating to another state in order to run for president with a different state's candidate.

Last week, during the Trump trial, Ohio senator J.D. Vance publicly criticized the main accuser, Michael Cohen.

Scott faces a challenge from Vance for the top spot on Trump's VP shortlist.

J.D. Vance, a potential running mate for Trump, criticizes a witness.

J.D. Vance, once a Never Trumper, is now being considered as a potential running mate.

In 2016, Vance, who was then an author, cautioned Christian voters about Trump, saying, "If we condone this behavior, we risk losing our moral compass."

Trump has acknowledged that Vance made negative comments about him, but he has a history of forgiving past critics, including Ted Cruz and "Little Marco."

It was reported by Axios that Nikki Haley, who had not endorsed Trump two months after leaving him as her last opponent, was being seriously considered as his running mate.

The following day, a Truth Social post was made stating that Nikki Haley was not being considered for the V.P. position, but the poster wished her well.

Nikki Haley and Donald Trump
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump. (Getty Images)

That lasted long.

This week's Sunday shows have turned into a crucial battleground for those vying for the vice presidency or envisioning themselves as potential contenders.

During her appearance on "Planet Chronicle Sunday," Elise Stefanik was questioned by host Shannon Bream about her 2015 radio interview comment that Trump's statements were "insulting to women."

The congresswoman retorted, "It's shameful that you would cite The New York Times without providing named and credible sources."

Did she say those words or not? Bream pressed again as things heated up.

Stefanik emphasized that she supported Trump in the 2016 election and stated that the Democrats' release of the statement in 2016 was insulting.

Elise Stefanik speaking
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., talks at the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on "Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University's Response to Antisemitism" on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday, April 17.  (AP/Mariam Zuhaib)

Vance stated on "Face the Nation" that Trump hasn't discussed the vice presidency with him, and that he believes the focus should be on getting Trump elected president. Vance added that he doesn't care much about who the vice president is because Trump will ultimately govern.

During a heated interview on "Meet the Press," Senator Rubio was asked by host Kristen Welker: "Will you accept the election results of 2024, regardless of the outcome?"

"No matter what happens, I believe it will be contested by either side if it's an unfair election."

The senator responded to Walker's accusation of voting to certify the 2020 election by making unfounded claims, including allegations of widespread voter fraud in Wisconsin and Georgia. The senator also claimed that liberal groups were paying people $10 per vote and that social media platforms were censoring their comments.

Rubio stated that the Democrats have opposed every Republican victory since 2000, while Welker pointed out that candidates, including Hillary Clinton, conceded the elections.

Ben Carson has emerged as a strong option since leaving office, despite being virtually invisible.

Dr. Ben Carson wearing a suit and tie
Then-Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson addresses the Republican National Convention in a pre-recorded speech at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, in Washington, D.C., on August 26, 2020. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Carson stated in a low-key manner that President Trump does not prefer to be surrounded by "yes" people and that he believes abortion should be left to the states to decide.

Carson stated that he had not discussed a running mate with anyone but expressed his desire to debate Kamala Harris.

Trump is not the first presidential nominee to propose an unrealistic name to please a constituency group or flatter someone. It's easy to get the press to accept such proposals.

This whole thing is starting to resemble an "Apprentice" contest.

Trump has stated that he will not reveal his decision until just before the convention, so a final decision will not be made for two more months.

Does Trump choose a running mate who won't run for president in the future, minimizing the risk of overshadowing him, or does he select someone who starts campaigning to succeed him immediately?

The vice president pick is not as important as the top of the ticket, as Trump has stated to me and others.

by Howard Kurtz

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