Last week, when J.D. Vance appeared on CNN during prime time, it seemed like he was speaking directly to one person. When asked about his potential role as Donald Trump’s vice president despite Trump’s strained relationship with Mike Pence, Vance staunchly defended Trump. He downplayed the seriousness of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, when Pence was forced to evacuate as rioters called for his hanging.
Vance is just one of nearly a dozen contenders vying to be Trump’s running mate, and their appearances on cable and network news have been closely watched by Trump and his team. Trump is particularly interested in how they defend him, challenge President Joe Biden, raise campaign funds, and expand his donor base.
The contenders are also being assessed for potential roles in a Trump administration, should he win. Trump pays close attention to how they perform at his rallies and how the crowd responds to their speeches.
The competition to become Trump’s vice president is heating up. Recently, several contenders, including Tom Cotton, Doug Burgum, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, and Elise Stefanik, made appearances on television programs, earning praise from Trump’s team.
Next week, Vance is hosting a high-dollar fundraiser for Trump in Cincinnati, and he’s also organizing a fundraiser in Silicon Valley.
Trump, known for his TV prowess from his time hosting “The Apprentice,” values how candidates perform on television and how they defend him in tough interviews, even on networks like CNN, which he dislikes.
This flurry of activity reveals the strategies of vice presidential hopefuls as they try to impress Trump and his advisers, downplaying any tensions between Trump and Pence. While Trump may not formally announce his pick until closer to the Republican National Convention, his team is already vetting potential candidates and expanding the list of contenders.
Recently, Tim Scott earned praise for his defense of Trump on “Meet the Press,” while Doug Burgum defended Trump’s remarks on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Other potential contenders include Ben Carson and Byron Donalds, both of whom have defended Trump on television appearances.
