A leading candidate to be named Donald Trump’s running mate confirmed rumors that he’d accept the position if offered in an interview Sunday.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., said it was “up to the president” whether he’d be the vice presidential candidate, and that he’d do whatever was best for the country.
“Congressman, I want to switch gears real quick. Ask you about 2024, because I know some people would have liked to see you get the gavel and become speaker, but others say, well, maybe you have a different road ahead,” Fox News star Maria Bartiromo said.
“Would you accept the vice president position if Donald Trump asked you to be his partner?” she asked.
Donalds first praised the new House speaker, then confirmed rumors that he’d accept the position if offered.
“Well, look, Maria, first of all, I’ll tell you first Speaker Mike Johnson, I am happy for him,” Donalds said. “He’s going to do a tremendous job leading the House of Representatives. You have a man of impeccable character, impeccable integrity, and the members have rallied around him. We’re going to get back to work and do our jobs.”
“With respect to being potentially on the ticket, that’s really up to the president,” he said. “I have no control over that.”
“The only thing I’ll say is, I just want to do whatever I can to get our country on track. That’s what I’ve always been committed to,” Donalds said. “So no matter what the role is, it’s about getting our country back on track.”
Despite being a freshman congressman, Donalds is a rising star in the MAGA wing of the Republican Party.
The other Republicans that are considered leading candidates to be Trump’s running mate include Arizona’s Kari Lake, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and New York Rep. Elise Stefanik.
🚨 Byron Donalds is asked if he would accept a role as Vice Presidential candidate on the 2024 with Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/gdeaymEfFf
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 29, 2023
The Horn editorial team