Do you want to be Donald Trump’s running mate?
That’s the question the former one-term president asked supporters in an email Sunday evening. But that query, like another he sent last Thursday night, was really just Trump asking them more money while casting himself as a victim of judicial injustice and media mistreatment.
He’s in a bind. Trump’s first criminal trial – this one in New York involving paying hush money to keep a porn star quiet during the 2016 campaign about an affair – is scheduled to start next Monday. Those lawyers want to get paid. We’re about to spend way more time than anyone wants hearing about the former president’s approach to sex. And Trump, with three other criminal trials looming, trails President Joe Biden in fundraising for the November rematch.
It’s completely on brand for Trump to turn his search for a vice president into a circus. He’s going to squeeze this for cash for as long as he can, with the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee still more than three months away.
There’s a motley crew of VP contenders. And there’s an even more fascinating assortment of folks who would be on the short list for any other presumptive Republican nominee but won’t be for Trump. But first, there’s the never ending soaking of supporters for their money.
Trump emails supports with his typical misdirection
Trump’s email reads like a condensed version of his many grievances. Consider the poll he included for “What are the top issues my VP should focus on?“
Top of the list: “Ending election interference.” That’s Trump-speak for any criminal or civil action holding him accountable by law for his actions before, during and after the presidency.
“Securing the border” is second, which is rich. Trump personally tanked bipartisan legislation on border security because he didn’t want Biden to score that victory in an election year.
“Stopping skyrocketing crime” was third, which is odd because recently released FBI data showed violent crime rates continuing to decrease last year.
It’s almost as if – now hear me out – Trump is misleading his supporters for political gain.
The email pleads for money for the Trump National Committee, a joint fundraising political action committee between his campaign and the Republican National Committee. Trump’s allies, including daughter-in-law Lara, took over the RNC last month. Trump and the RNC are using a second joint fundraising committee, Trump 47, to funnel money into his legal defense.
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The email conforms with Trump’s unofficial campaign motto – always claim to be a victim. A disclaimer in small, grayish print at the bottom says “grassroots supporters” allow Trump “to consistently call out the Fake News media EVERY SINGLE TIME they’ve tried to spread misinformation or outright LIES” about him.
While Trump asked his followers what his vice president should focus on, his treatment of some conservatives who would have made a typical GOP short list helps us see what the eventual pick will have to put up with.
Pence? Please. The conservatives Trump won’t pick for VP.
Let’s start with Mike Pence, the slice of evangelical white bread who brought a churchy balance to Trump’s “grab ’em by the pussy” approach to the 2016 campaign.
Pence was a loyal soldier, right up to the moment on Jan. 6, 2021, when he refused to stall the certification of a free and fair election while Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, demanding to be allowed to execute the vice president.
Pence made his own bid for president but dropped out of the race in October when it was clear Trump had continuing control of their party. He said last month that he will not endorse Trump, adding that his former boss put himself before the Constitution and should never be president again.
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Then there is Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who came as close as anyone to rescuing the Republican Party from Trump before ending her campaign last month without endorsing Trump.
Haley was a strong candidate, fiery in debates and serious about issues. Having a woman on the ticket could have counterbalanced some of the mistrust female voters have with Trump.
But Haley ruled out a run with Trump, as Biden started courting her primary voters. In swing-state Wisconsin last week, 1 in 5 Republican primary voters cast ballots for someone other than Trump, with Haley taking 13%.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who trailed Trump and Haley before dropping out of the race in January while endorsing Trump, apparently has ruled out a spot on the Republican ticket.
Trump, who had savaged DeSantis during the primary with personal attacks but let up after the endorsement, resumed his rhetorical fire.
The path to Trump picking his running mate will be a thorny one
So, prepare yourself for weeks of public humiliation for the motley crew angling to be Trump’s next running mate. Imagine Trump’s old “reality” television show “The Apprentice,” which cast the often bankrupt real estate developer as a business mastermind.
It will be humiliating for contestants like that, but with the indignity intensified.
Just consider how conflicted Trump is about sharing a stage with anyone. In a Fox News town hall broadcast in February, he said picking a running mate “has absolutely no impact” on winning or losing. Less than a minute later, he said it is “very important” to help attract voters.
Trump shouted out in that Fox News crowd Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., as a potential VP pick while also mocking him for running a lackluster campaign.
Scott ended his campaign for president in November and endorsed Trump in January. Trump used that endorsement to knock both Scott and Haley, suggesting that Scott “must really hate her” because she originally appointed him to his Senate seat to fill a vacancy in 2012.
Scott is just one name on a long list of potential contenders – Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem – who have shown themselves ready, willing and able to debase themselves for Trump’s attention.
It’s anyone’s bet as to who Trump picks. And oddsmakers are keeping track. The only safe bet here is that Trump’s process will involve serious degradation for the contenders – and that the “winner” will face even more of that going forward.
Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan
