In recent weeks, an increasingly familiar list of Republicans has dominated the not-very-subtle competition to become Donald Trump’s running mate. Trump himself has added to the air of inevitability by floating these names in interviews and appearances over and over.
But there’s a steady drumbeat of speculation within Trump’s orbit that the former president’s flair for the dramatic will at some point take over. Many around the campaign believe the lack of secrecy surrounding the open audition raises the possibility Trump ultimately picks someone off the public’s radar.
“Historically, the more he says a name, the less likely it is to be that person,” one adviser told CNN, but noted that they too were speculating.
Trump has batted around the same names for months and many of them have spent their recent weeks making public demonstrations of their loyalty, appearing outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump is on trial or defending him on television. When asked about his potential options in an interview last week, Trump responded, “We have so many, I don’t want to do that,” before rattling off several names frequently mentioned as likely contenders: former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and Rep. Elise Stefanik.
“But I could go on for quite a long time,” he added.
Trump has also routinely asked allies their thoughts on Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, both of whom have appeared at recent campaign rallies and regularly defend the former president on cable news.
Still, a decision is unlikely until right before or at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July, as Trump and his team try to build anticipation surrounding an announcement to…
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