Trump's team considers revealing Vice President pick in Apprentice-style at convention

A discussion is underway among the aides of former President Donald Trump to have his vice-presidential nominee announced live at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this coming Monday. This information comes from two individuals closely involved in the planning process.

The planning remains flexible, according to the aides. They anticipate that the final contenders for the role will be present at the convention, adding a twist of reality show-style suspense for the opening night, if Trump refrains from making the announcement over the preceding weekend.

The unveiling of Trump's vice-presidential pick would bring an end to his exhaustive, month-long process of selecting a running mate. His top advisers remain as uncertain as ever about Trump's final decision.

A Trump campaign official stated, “Nobody knows,” echoing the response consistently given during the past months. Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser in Trump's campaign, also posted a similar statement on social media, indirectly mocking the press's speculation about the decision.

In an interview on "The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show" on Thursday, Trump insinuated that he might reveal his pick at the convention.

He expressed a desire to announce his decision during the convention or just before it, specifically on the upcoming Monday. Multiple Trump officials and advisers, who requested anonymity due to not being cleared to speak publicly on the matter, reinforced this sentiment.

A second Trump campaign official emphasized that Trump has all the information necessary to make his decision, affirming that it's his choice and they are prepared to proceed once the decision is made.

The pressure on Trump to announce his vice-presidential nominee is escalating as the GOP convention in Milwaukee is set to begin on Monday. The Republican National Committee has not yet disclosed the timing of the roll call vote to officially announce Trump's running mate - an announcement that needs to happen beforehand.

Describing his selection process, Trump compared it to an advanced version of 'The Apprentice', saying he had narrowed it down to “four or five people”. He added that he is examining the final contenders closely, putting more emphasis on his gut instinct rather than a detailed analysis.

Possible finalists include senators J.D. Vance of Ohio and Marco Rubio of Florida, as well as North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum . Regardless of Trump's choice, all three are expected to speak at the convention. Trump also mentioned recently that he was impressed with Sen. Tim Scott’s recent television interview.

Before the convention, Trump only has one more campaign event scheduled, a rally in Pennsylvania. Some speculate this might be where he announces his running mate, given that Ohio, Vance’s home state, is close by.

Yet, as of Friday, neither Burgum, Vance, nor Rubio are confirmed to attend the Pennsylvania rally, as per two campaign officials.

Interestingly, at a Miami rally on Tuesday, Trump alluded to the press's expectation of Rubio being his running mate announcement. As his 2016 decision-making process demonstrated, Trump's decision-making is driven less by traditional political strategy and more by his instinctive business acumen.

Once the announcement is made, Trump's campaign is ready to swiftly produce signage and merchandise featuring the chosen running mate. A private plane, dubbed “Trump Force Two,” is already waiting for the potential running mate at an unmentioned location, said one of the campaign officials.

Meanwhile, Trump seems to relish the suspense surrounding the decision. According to the former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally, this suspense not only builds excitement but also helps Trump maintain his focus on his opponents' troubles rather than rushing his decision.

Bill White, a friend and patron of Trump, believes Trump has already made his choice, sharing it with only a select few.

Others close to Trump, however, suggest that amidst his recent meetings and rallies, he could still be swayed by another contender. They claim this period could be particularly critical as Trump has more free time to absorb inputs from various sources.

Over the past week, Trump has been publicly addressing Vance, Rubio, and Burgum as potential candidates. He voiced both praises and concerns for Rubio and Burgum, describing Vance as a “young Abraham Lincoln” and also dismissed a report suggesting Vance's facial hair might disqualify him.

Uncertainty surrounding the political future of Biden has complicated Trump's decision. This has led to him considering waiting until it is clearer whether his main opponent would be Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump's impending decision has brought forth last-minute attempts by prominent conservative leaders and allies to advocate for their preferred candidate, or, in some cases, against the ones they dislike.

Donald Trump Jr., for example, has declared his support for Vance, while Tony Perkins, the President of the Family Research Council, criticized Rubio, and Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, expressed his followers' disapproval of Burgum.

White strongly urges Trump supporters to accept whoever Trump picks and show solidarity, while some other Republicans suggest more potential running mates.

On "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) suggested Trump should consider Scott, his longtime friend and ally who could help expand the electoral map. He also recommended Virginia's Glenn Youngkin as a promising pick.

Jonathan Martin contributed to this report.

Trump's decision has made considerable waves within the Republican party and among his supporters, amplifying the anticipation and tension leading up to the convention. As he's known for his showman instinct and last-minute decision making, the reveal promises to be nothing short of captivating, and it most certainly will be a culmination of the methodical, discerning process he has undergone over the past month.

The issue has indeed sparked numerous debates and discussions among party loyalists, as they vigorously advocate for their favored candidates. Some proponents of J.D. Vance have extolled his blue-collar background and appeal among working-class voters, while Rubio's proponents highlight his broad appeal within the Latin-American community and his experience in the political arena.

Others, however, believe Governor Burgum's executive experience and strong conservative stance make him an ideal candidate. Meanwhile, Senator Scott, though marginally fading from the limelight, has also been suggested as an ideal running mate for his ability to attract diverse demographics given his political track record.

The former president seems unperturbed by such debates and is holding his cards notoriously close to his chest. Critics and supporters alike argue that his unpredictability is just an extension of his persona and that his choice, regardless of who it might be, is sure to shake things up as we step into the peak period of the campaign.

It's equally important to note the meticulous preparations on the part of the Trump campaign. The readiness to immediately launch a merchandising campaign post the decision, along with a private plane waiting on standby, illustrates the strategic planning carried out by Trump's campaign officials over the past several weeks, highlighting the full gear with which they are prepared to handle any situation.

However, as the clock ticks away and the convention rapidly approaches, leaving Trump's camp with less time to consider their options, the political world continues to hold its collective breath over his decision - the consequences of which could echo through the Republican party and impact the face of American politics.

There's one ultimate truth in all this speculation and debate - the final choice rests solely with Trump. As Bill White aptly concluded, only two other people could potentially know the running mate right after Trump: his wife and Susie Wiles. Yet in the end, no one knows for certain until the official reveal on the convention stage.

As the world eagerly awaits the reveal, only time will tell who will accompany Trump on his campaign trail, poised to potentially become the next vice president.

Additional reporting by Jonathan Martin.

Lucas Dupont for TROIB News