PHILADELPHIA — Former President Donald Trump said Saturday he knows who his next running mate will be, offering a hint at what to expect on the day of the candidates' debate.
Asked by NBC News during a campaign stop in Philadelphia if he had chosen a running mate, Trump replied, “In my opinion, yes,” adding that that person would “probably” attend Thursday's debate with President Joe Biden.
“They're going to be there,” he continued. “I think a lot of people are going to be there.”
Trump said “nobody knows” what his choice will be yet. NBC News previously reported that Trump was targeting Doug Burgum, J.D. Vance and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as his top picks for the presidential race.
A source familiar with the selection process told NBC News that North Dakota Governor Burgum and Ohio Sen. Vance are considered the top two finalists. Rubio is still under consideration, but constitutional issues would require either Trump or Rubio to reside outside of Florida.
Brian Hughes, a senior adviser to Trump, said in a statement that the campaign's No. 1 criterion in choosing a running mate was “a strong leader who will be a great president for eight years at the end of the next four years.”
Trump has been holding informal policy meetings with aides, including his running mate, ahead of the debate. Vance has met with Trump on the economy and inflation, while Rubio discussed the topic with Trump during his visit to Washington, DC, earlier this month.
His comments on Saturday were made during a stop at a local restaurant in Philadelphia ahead of the rally. Pennsylvania is expected to be a key battleground state on the path to the White House. Biden flipped Pennsylvania to the Democrats in 2020 and has been campaigning throughout the state as the election nears.
The former president said he plans to announce his running mate “right before the convention.”
“It could be sometime before, it could be during the convention,” Trump said, “but it's going to be a great group of people.”
The Republican National Convention, where delegates from across the country will formally nominate their presidential and vice presidential candidates, is scheduled to be held in Milwaukee from July 15 to 18.
Jake Traylor and Dasha Barnes reported from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Megan Lebowitz Alec Hernandez and Isabel Schmerer reported from Washington, DC.
