Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is set to hold a campaign rally in Florida, with anticipation mounting over his impending selection of a running mate.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally at his golf club in Doral, Florida, on Tuesday, just days before he must announce his choice for a running mate at the party’s national convention next week.
The event in Doral will be followed by a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, both of which will be closely scrutinized for any hints or announcements regarding Trump’s vice-presidential pick. Leading contenders include Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, with North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum also in consideration, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The decision comes amid turmoil for the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s challenging debate against Trump on June 27, which has led to increasing calls within his party for him to step aside for a younger nominee.
In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday evening, Trump was asked about his shortlist for vice president, which includes Rubio, Vance, Burgum, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.
“The names that you mentioned, absolutely they’re under consideration,” Trump said, adding that he wanted to see how the situation within the Democratic Party evolves, as it “might make a difference.”
Trump indicated that he would likely announce his decision “a little before” or during the Republican Party’s national convention, which begins on July 15.
The rally in Doral will focus on criticizing Biden’s handling of inflation and immigration policies, highlighting cases of violent crimes committed by migrants who entered the country illegally, according to a Trump campaign release.
Ford O’Connell, a Republican operative in Florida, suggested that Trump will capitalize on the disarray within the Democratic Party and the pressure on Biden rather than overshadowing the event with a vice-presidential announcement.
“If you are Trump, it doesn’t get much better than this. And the key is to just keep talking inflation, closing the border, crime and instability abroad,” said O’Connell, who worked with Trump during the 2020 campaign.
Following the Florida rally, Trump will travel to Pennsylvania for an event in Butler, near Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, was won by Trump in 2016 but lost to Biden in 2020. A victory there could be crucial for the upcoming November 5 election.