Trump says he knows who his choice for vice president will be

PHILADELPHIA — Former President Donald Trump said Saturday he knows who his pick for vice president will be — and hinted at his likely plans for debate night.

When asked by NBC News during a campaign rally in Philadelphia whether he has decided on his pick for vice president, Trump responded, “in my opinion, yes,” adding that the person will “probably” be in Thursday’s debate against President Joe Biden. .

“They will be there,” he continued. “I think we have a lot of people coming.”

Trump said “nobody knows” his choice yet. NBC News previously reported that Trump is focusing on Doug Burgum, JD Vance and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as possible top contenders for the job.

Sources familiar with the selection process told NBC News that Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, and Vance, the senator from Ohio, are considered the two finalists. Rubio is still being considered, although a constitutional issue would require Trump or Rubio to establish residency outside of Florida.

Trump senior adviser Brian Hughes said in a statement that the campaign’s main criteria for selecting a running mate “is a strong leader who will be a great president for eight years after the end of his next four-year term.”

Trump is holding informal political sessions with confidants ahead of the debate, including potential vice presidential candidates. Vance held a session with Trump on the economy and inflation, and Rubio spoke with Trump when the former president was in D.C. earlier this month.

His comments Saturday came during a stop at a local Philadelphia restaurant before a rally. Pennsylvania is expected to be a vital swing state on the road to the White House. Biden flipped Pennsylvania blue in 2020 and continues to campaign across the state as the election approaches.

The former president said he plans to announce his pick for vice president “closer to the convention.”

“Maybe a little earlier, but it could be at the convention,” Trump said. “But we’ll have great people.”

The Republican National Convention, at which delegates from across the country will officially nominate the party’s nominees for president and vice president, will be held July 15-18 in Milwaukee.