In an unexpected twist that could upend the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump is seriously considering adding a one-time rival and longtime Republican leader as his running mate.
Trump has reportedly moved Sen. Marco Rubio, R-F.L., to the top of his prospective 2024 Republican vice presidential nominee shortlist, according to multiple sources familiar with the vetting process.
The likelihood of tapping Rubio — a sitting U.S. Senator from Florida who engaged in a bitter public feud with Trump during the 2016 primaries — has skyrocketed in recent weeks.
The former president’s extensive search to identify a running mate best positioned to unite the GOP coalition has been closely watched by observers.
The Trump campaign has repeatedly said they are early in the process.
But while Trump has kept his shortlist closely guarded – there are reportedly around 15 potential candidates remaining in the mix — the 52-year-old Rubio’s name keeps resurfacing as a top contender for the coveted spot.
“It’s pretty clear from Trump’s orbit that Rubio is in play,” one veteran Florida Republican operative told NBC News.
Trump reportedly admires the Senator’s youth, telegenic presence, and potential to boost Hispanic outreach for the ticket as powerful assets.
“It makes sense because he checks almost every box if they can get past both being from Florida.”
However, critics say that adding Rubio to a Trump ticket would present complications. The 12th Amendment prohibits electors from voting for a presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate from the same state.
There is historical precedent for candidates to change their legal residency and addresses—an accommodation Rubio would need to make should his star rise further in Trump’s vetting process.
But that means giving up his senatorial role.
For his part, Trump has remained coy about specifics while repeating to the media his priorities for a running mate—namely, someone capable of seamlessly assuming presidential duties if necessary.
“You want to have somebody that can step into that role and be great,” Trump recently stated. He also confirmed his team’s plans to audition top VP contenders at upcoming campaign rallies and events.
The former president has already undergone an extraordinary reversal of his opinion of Rubio from the bitter 2016 Republican presidential primary when Trump bestowed the devastating nickname “Little Marco” on the fellow Floridian.
However, Rubio has steadily reingratiated himself by endorsing Trump early in the 2024 primary and supporting the former administration’s “America First” agenda during Trump’s first term.
Now, Trump is not only entertaining the jarring prospect of inviting Rubio on the same ticket, but has increasingly gravitated toward the political pragmatism Rubio could offer a general election campaign.
The Senator boasts ample D.C. experience, and a fundraising prowess that had raised nearly $50 million for his own 2016 White House bid, and the historic opportunity to become the first Hispanic candidate on a Republican presidential ticket.
For his part, Rubio has downplayed the vice presidential speculation and the vetting process remains in its earliest phases.
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The Horn editorial team