Donald J. Trump hasn’t shown much interest in grooming successors in the past. When he left “The Apprentice,” he mocked his replacement’s ratings. He hasn’t built an alumni network for his former White House staff like previous presidents did. He even approved of chants against Mike Pence during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
However, the process of choosing a running mate has unexpectedly boosted some new stars in the Republican Party. This selection process, resembling a reality TV show, has made some candidates more popular.
Rising GOP Stars:
- Byron Donalds (Florida)
- Elise Stefanik (New York)
- J.D. Vance (Ohio)
These young politicians are gaining fame and access to major donors thanks to their connection with Trump. Even if they aren’t picked as Trump’s running mate, they are expected to be strong contenders for the 2028 presidential race.
Other notable names include:
- Senator Marco Rubio: His conservative reputation has been enhanced by Trump’s consideration.
- Gov. Doug Burgum (North Dakota): Once obscure, now a staunch Trump supporter.
- Senator Tim Scott (South Carolina): Received more attention as a potential running mate than during his own presidential bid.
- Vivek Ramaswamy: Ohio businessman, kept in the mix by Trump.
“Trump has been enormously helpful to these people,” said Newt Gingrich, a former House Speaker. Trump has raised their profiles through praise at rallies and by mentioning them as possible running mates. His campaign has also ensured these contenders get media attention and access to donors, which will benefit them in the future.
These contenders also help Trump. More traditional Republicans like Vance, Rubio, and Burgum have become strong Trump defenders, appealing to a broader base of voters and donors. They provide credible, establishment voices supporting Trump on TV and at fundraisers. Even after Trump makes his pick, the others will continue to be valuable campaign surrogates.
Mark McKinnon, a longtime Republican adviser, noted that Trump wisely avoided picking well-known figures from his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Instead, he chose figures who can attract new voters. “The interesting thing about Trump’s short list is the absence of MAGA celebrities,” McKinnon said, adding it’s good for Trump and the party as it broadens appeal.
Trump insists his vice president must be ready to take over if needed. “We have a lot of good people that we’re looking at,” Trump said in a Newsmax interview. “The most important thing is having someone who can step in and do a great job as president.”
Trump has floated many names to increase speculation and raise the profiles of his allies. For example, he mentioned Byron Donalds, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Gov. Ron DeSantis (Florida), former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii), and Gov. Kristi Noem (South Dakota) in an interview, even though not all are on his short list.
Trump’s 2016 presidential bid was seen as a hostile takeover of the Republican Party, overshadowing promising conservatives. Young Republican stars like Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker, Ted Cruz, and Rand Paul had their campaigns eclipsed by Trump’s rise. Trump’s dominance even ended the Bush family’s long run in Republican politics.
“The Republican Party has a deep and talented bench, as shown by the strength and diversity of the leaders who support President Donald J. Trump,” said Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee.