Former President Donald Trump, the current 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner, appears to be on pace to pick up the nomination again next year — if he can avoid being convicted in a growing number of state and federal cases against him.
But he has yet to announce who he is actually considering as a running mate.
Now, however, we may be closer to finding that out.
Previously, Trump has indicated he has no interest in participating in the first Republican debate which will be held Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wis., and be hosted by Fox News. However, he says his VP pick could come from the field of candidates expected to show up to debate depending on how well they do.
“Let them debate so I can see who I MIGHT consider for Vice President!” Trump posted on his Truth Social Monday morning.
Fox News added:
The latest New York Times/Siena College poll has Trump leading the field with 54%; followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with 17%; former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott, former Amb. Nikki Haley all with 3%; and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 2%.
To qualify for the debate stage, GOP hopefuls are required to achieve either 1% in three national polls or 1% in two national polls and two state-specific polls from the early voting states, namely Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. The polls must be recognized by the Republican National Committee (RNC) and conducted on or after July 1. Meeting these criteria is essential for candidates to participate in the debates.
Additionally, candidates must have 40,000 unique donors to their campaign committee (or exploratory committee), with “at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in 20+ states and/or territories,” Fox News noted.
Trump has reached all of the necessary thresholds and did so easily. “As of last week, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Christie, DeSantis, Haley, Ramaswamy and Scott also have reached that threshold,” Fox reported.
Notably, Pence is not yet on the qualifying list. Pence and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have met the polling requirements but not those for fundraising.
