In a significant move for his 2024 campaign, former President Donald Trump has chosen his running mate, excluding Senators Marco Rubio and Doug Burgum from consideration. The announcement will be made at 3:30 p.m. CT, aligning with the beginning of the vice presidential nomination process. Trump's decision follows a meticulous selection process that involved extensive discussions and legal consultations.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, had narrowed his choices to three finalists: Senator JD Vance of Ohio, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, and Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota. The process, tightly controlled by Trump and his senior advisors, culminated in a decision that eliminates Rubio and Burgum from the running. Four sources confirmed to NBC News that Rubio was informed early Monday afternoon that he would not be selected, while three sources indicated Burgum received a similar notification.
"Rubio got the 'not you' call," a source familiar with the decision-making process disclosed to NBC News. The exclusion of Rubio was partially due to unresolved issues related to the U.S. Constitution's residency requirements. Since both Trump and Rubio are residents of Florida, electors cannot vote for both candidates from the same state. Despite exploring various legal opinions over the last ten days, both teams concluded that they could not be 100% confident that the selection would withstand a legal challenge.
"There were concerns about the process of uprooting Rubio's family and moving to meet the residency requirement, only to face potential legal challenges," a source involved in the process explained. This uncertainty made Rubio a less viable option, despite his potential to broaden Trump's appeal among Latino voters.
Governor Burgum, who had a phone discussion with Trump, was also ruled out. His supporters believed he brought a fresh perspective and governance experience that could complement Trump's campaign. However, he did not make the final cut.
The assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, over the weekend added a layer of complexity to the selection process. Despite this, Trump maintained his preferred timeline for the VP announcement, aiming to introduce his running mate at the Republican National Convention.
In the days leading up to the rally, Trump held final check-ins with the finalists. Senator JD Vance and Senator Marco Rubio met with Trump in person at his Mar-a-Lago resort, while Governor Burgum spoke with Trump by phone. These discussions were crucial in finalizing the decision.
Trump's choice to exclude Rubio highlights the complexities of modern political campaigns, where even constitutional nuances can influence major decisions. The residency issue, in particular, underscores the importance of legal and strategic considerations in selecting a running mate.
As Trump prepares to make his announcement, the focus now shifts to Senator JD Vance and other potential dark horse candidates. Vance, known for his populist stances and alignment with Trump's political philosophy, is seen as a strong contender who could energize the base and appeal to working-class voters.
