Jun 26, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Trump VP wannabes flock to Atlanta for debate watch

Stef W. Kight

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) (2nd-R) speaks as Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump (L), North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (2nd-R) and Vivek Ramaswamy (R) listen during a campaign rally — Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) speaks as former President Trump, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Vivek Ramaswamy listen during a campaign rally. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Former President Trump's top VP wannabes are making the pilgrimage to Atlanta to be close at hand during the first presidential debate — even though they can't be in the audience.

Why it matters: Veepstakes speculation has reached a fever pitch amid rumors that a decision could come as soon as this week, public trolling by top Trump campaign officials and a round of televised interviews with the top contenders.

Driving the news: Sens. J.D. Vance (Ohio), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Tim Scott (S.C.) will join Reps. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) and Byron Donalds (Fla.) as well as Gov. Doug Burgum (N.D.) and former HUD Secretary Ben Carson at the RNC fundraiser and watch party in Atlanta, according to an updated copy of an invite obtained by Axios, with some names not yet reported.

All have been seriously considered as possible running mates, including receiving vetting documents.
Other Trump allies will join them, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas).
Tickets to the event cost $10,000 per couple— or $25,000 for seats at a table with Trump surrogates. Fundraising prowess has been a top consideration for Trump's VP pick, as Axios has reported.

What to watch: Some of those on the list for the fundraiser are also expected to be in the spin room to tout the former president after the debate — though the two lists will differ some, a source familiar with the matter told Axios.

President Biden and Trump agreed there would be no live audience in the debate hall — a term Biden's campaign pushed for.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is heading to Atlanta as a surrogate for Biden.

The big picture: During the first in a series of Fox News interviews with VP candidates, Vance said Wednesday he would be disappointed if Trump doesn't select him as his running mate.

Trump veepstakes has garnered outsized attention in contrast with a lack of drama in other aspects of the 2024 presidential race: Biden and Trump are known entities who faced off four years ago, and Trump glided easily to the nomination earlier this year.

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Trump VP wannabes flock to Atlanta for debate watch

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