Donald Trump's VP Options: Who Will Be His 2024 Running Mate?

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage with supporters, campaign staff and family members for a primary night party at the Sheraton on January 23, 2024 in Nashua, New Hampshire. — Donald Trump at a New Hampshire campaign event on Jan. 23, 2024. Photo:
Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Donald Trump's 2024 veepstakes are well underway, as the GOP candidate prepares to accept his party's presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in July.

For months, Trump's strongest allies have been tested for the role of running mate as they hit the campaign trail as surrogates and make television appearances to defend him from scandal. Trump's final pick could play a pivotal role in bringing key demographics to his corner: race, gender, experience, wealth, geography and loyalty will all influence his decision-making.

Plus, Trump is thinking about "who would [be] able to be a good president," he previously told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo. "I mean, you always have to think that because you know, a civil emergency … things happen right? No matter who you are, things happen."

Three standout Republicans have reportedly risen to the top of Trump's shortlist for vice president: Marco Rubio, Doug Burgum, and J.D. Vance. Those men were each asked by the Trump campaign to submit detailed background information in June, according to multiple reports, along with a few others who remain on the back-burner.

But nothing is set in stone just yet. Several names have been floated as potential contenders and could be popped into the equation at a moment's notice.

Here are 13 standout Republicans (and one independent) who have been discussed as possible running mates — and the pros and cons for each.

01 of 14

Marco Rubio

Three-term Sen. Marco Rubio just might end up on the Republican ticket this year — albeit in a less desirable role than he campaigned for in 2016. Trump hasn't exactly been kind to "Little Marco" in the past, but he now appears willing to leave their drama behind to tap into Rubio's appeal as a staunchly conservative child of Cuban immigrants. "I happen to think that he’s the candidate the Biden campaign probably fears the most," Republican strategist Justin Sayfie told The Hill.

Pros: He's the most experienced and high-profile contender on the list, has shown a willingness to stand behind Trump, and would go a long way toward courting the decisive Hispanic vote.

Cons: His co-sponsorship of a federal abortion ban could haunt the ticket, and he's crumbled under pressure before. Also, a provision in the Constitution says that if running mates hail from the same state, that state's electors cannot support the ticket (i.e., Rubio would need to change his residency, or Trump would forfeit Florida's 30 Electoral College votes).

What Rubio has said: Little has been said in public about his VP candidacy, though in March, Rubio said, “If anybody has been offered the chance to be vice president, they should consider that an honor and an incredible opportunity to serve our country." Rubio does, however, seem less hungry for the title than some of his fellow contenders.

What Trump has said: Trump has also said little about partnering with the man who once said he had small hands, but strategists and insiders have repeatedly told journalists that Trump is drawn to Rubio's strengths.

02 of 14

Doug Burgum

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a wealthy software executive turned Republican politician, tried mounting a challenge to Trump in the GOP primaries, ultimately falling out of the race in December when he failed to qualify for a debate. Despite holding executive office Burgum’s national profile remains low, but after he endorsed Trump ahead of the Iowa caucuses — then announced he would not run for reelection as governor — he by default joined the list of possible running mates, and his standing only grew from there.

Pros: He is a fellow political outsider with MAGA-friendly views, but isn’t as outspoken or controversial as comparable conservative governors. Plus, he has deep pockets and wealthy connections.

Cons: He would bring neither diversity nor influence on the Electoral College to the ticket.

What Burgum has said: Speaking to reporters about his next career move in January, Burgum said, "I think impact is going to be what drives the decisions I make in the future. Wherever that path may be, it's going to be where I can have the biggest impact.” Asked about whether he’d accept a VP or Cabinet role, he called the suggestion “hypothetical at this time.”

What Trump has said: Trump has been complimentary of Burgum since receiving an endorsement, suggesting that the governor will have a seat in his administration. “I hope that I’m going to be able to call on him to be a piece of the administration — a very important piece of the administration,” Trump said in January. (Some believe he'd be secretary of energy if not VP.)

03 of 14

J.D. Vance

Freshman Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance — who once described himself as a "never-Trump guy" and called the former president "America's Hitler" with "immoral to absurd" policies — flipped a 180 to become a staunch mouthpiece for Trump's values while running for Senate in 2022. Best-known as the author of Hillbilly Elegy, the former venture capitalist now says he's "very close" with Trump and that they "talk all the time" while he serves as a surrogate on the former president's 2024 campaign.

Pros: Vance's shallow voting history minimizes his legislative baggage, his Trumpian ideology would present a united front, and Ohio is an important state for Trump to lock down again in 2024. Vance is the strongest MAGA fighter in his VP pool.

Cons: Vance's newness to politics and weak fundraising abilities mean he has little to offer Trump on a practical level — and leaving the Senate would give Democrats another shot at flipping his swing seat blue.

What Vance has said: Vance has suggested that Trump needs him as an ally in Congress. "I think that’s the best place for me is to actually be an advocate of the agenda in the United States Senate," he said in January while campaigning for Trump in New Hampshire. "But certainly if the president asked, I would have to think about [it]. I want to help him out however I can."

What Trump has said: The former president hasn't said much about Vance since stumping for him on the Senate campaign trail, and even then, the dynamic seemed tense at times. “He’s a guy that said some bad s--- about me. He did,” Trump told the crowd at a pro-Vance rally in 2022. “But I have to do what I have to do. We have to pick somebody that can win.”

04 of 14

Tim Scott

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott was appointed to Congress in 2013 (by then-Gov. Nikki Haley) and remains the lone Black Republican in the Senate. He launched his own presidential bid last year, though he failed to garner enthusiasm for his platform and dropped out of the race in mid-November. In January, he reemerged to endorse Trump over Haley (and got engaged right afterward), which furthered speculation that he could be positioning himself for a place on the ticket.

Pros: Scott's mellow temperament and traditional conservative values could tame fears about Trump's erratic decision-making — and Republicans could benefit from having a person of color on the ticket.

Cons: Scott is a firmly anti-choice senator whose desire for an unpopular federal abortion ban could scare off large swaths of voters — in fact, some of his harshest criticism of Trump was that the president wasn't strict enough on abortion. He is also weaker under pressure, often flailing to answer tough questions in interviews.

What Scott has said: The senator told Fox News in November that he had no intention of accepting a VP nomination: “Being vice president has never been on my to-do list for this campaign, and it’s certainly not there now.” But after getting chummy with Trump, he's un-ruled it out, telling CNN's Dana Bash in January that he will do "whatever" is necessary to better the country.

What Trump has said: Trump and Scott have done joint appearances on the campaign trail, cracking jokes as Trump praises him for being a "very, very good man" whose endorsement is "very important." Trump's unusually warm embrace of Scott implies that he'll be seriously considered for the role — and he about said as much on Fox News in February, mentioning the senator while discussing his VP criteria.

05 of 14

Elise Stefanik

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the fourth-ranking member in House GOP leadership, was the youngest woman elected to Congress when she overwhelmingly won her first race in 2014. Despite calling Trump's treatment of women "offensive" and "just plain wrong" during his 2016 campaign, she threw her full support behind him during his impeachment trials and reelection bid. Now 39, she's an up-and-coming face in the Republican Party, and has proven one of Trump's most loyal defenders.

Pros: As chair of the House Republican Conference, Stefanik has influence in the GOP and can articulate the party's platform — and she could be the youthful antidote to voters' concerns about Trump's age.

Cons: Trump doesn't need New York, and the House GOP needs Stefanik.

What Stefanik has said: “I, of course, would be honored to serve in any capacity in a Trump administration,” Stefanik said in a January Meet the Press interview. She later told NBC News that she's "not going to get into any of my conversations with President Trump" but that she's "honored to call him a friend."

What Trump has said: When Stefanik was floated as a possible running mate during a private Mar-a-Lago dinner in December, Trump responded approvingly, saying, "She's a killer," according to NBC News.

06 of 14

Ben Carson

Ben Carson, a former neurosurgeon who ran for president in 2016, has already worked with Trump as his secretary of housing and urban development. He was one of Trump's few Cabinet secretaries to retain their position throughout the entire term, and has since voiced his support for Trump’s 2024 campaign without offering any public criticism.

Pros: Carson, who was the only Black member of Trump's cabinet, has experience working with the former president and could be seen as a more moderating force than some of the other far-right names on the list.

Cons: Carson, who is also in his 70s, doesn’t have the name recognition nor the fan base of some of the other names on the list.

What Carson has said: During Trump’s first run, Carson made clear that he would be willing to serve as vice president, saying in 2016 (prior to Trump picking Pence as his running mate), “I’ve told Mr. Trump that if it was really going to make a big difference I’d be willing to.”

What Trump has said: Trump hasn’t publicly spoken about Carson as a VP pick, though Carson himself said in an interview on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo: "I don’t want to talk about what we’ve talked about, but we’ve talked about what can we do to save this country and that we will work together to make sure that America remains America.”

07 of 14

Tom Cotton

Second-term Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton is relatively new to Trump's shortlist, but reportedly rose in Trump's favorability as a steady option who excels at communication and brings far less baggage than the stereotypical MAGA politician. He is currently planning to run for chair of the Senate Republican Conference — which is the Senate GOP's No. 3 position — in the upcoming session of Congress, but the election is months away and he could easily withdraw to seek the higher role of VP, also known as president of the Senate.

Pros: Cotton is a younger and more disciplined pick who would create very little risk for the already beleaguered campaign.

Cons: He isn't the best fit for carrying on the MAGA torch after Trump, and he may not excite voters.

What Cotton has said: “If the President asked me to serve in any capacity, I would, of course entertain it,” the senator told CNN in June. “But right now, I’m very happy being a senator representing the people of Arkansas and working to elect President Trump and a majority in the Congress.”

What Trump has said: The New York Times reports that Trump has privately praised Cotton's ability to defend his positions in cable news interviews, though there have been no explicit endorsements of Cotton for the role.

08 of 14

Tulsi Gabbard

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard — who left the Democratic Party in 2022 after running for president two years prior — has always been hard to define politically, but in the past few years the independent's views have veered toward the right wing as she endorsed a slew of far-right extremists in the midterms, became a frequent contributor on Fox News and embraced the Ron DeSantis-era culture wars. In February Trump met with Gabbard to discuss foreign policy and soon after said that she was on his mind as he decides on a running mate.

Pros: Gabbard is a woman of color best remembered as a Democratic presidential candidate. Choosing her could give the impression that Trump is reaching across the aisle and embracing new voices — plus, she’s proven willing to adopt his political views.

Cons: Gabbard doesn’t bring an Electoral College advantage, and it’s untested whether she would be embraced by either major party as someone who's flip-flopped.

What Gabbard has said: Gabbard told Fox & Friends in February that her “mission in life is to serve our country,” saying that if Trump wanted her as his running mate, “I’d be open to that conversation.”

What Trump has said: When asked during a Fox News town hall in February if Gabbard is on his VP shortlist, he answered affirmatively — though he hasn’t specifically named her without being prompted.

09 of 14

Byron Donalds

Byron Daniels — Florida Rep. Byron Donalds. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, an ex-Democrat who joined Congress in 2021 as a member of the furthest-right voting bloc, has sparked plenty of vice presidential rumors, given his extremist stances, fierce loyalty to Trump and his potential ability to pull moderate voters of color to the right in November. Describing himself as a “politically incorrect Black man” and saying in 2023 that he “personally” did not believe Joe Biden was a legitimate president, Donalds would make for a brand-compatible running mate to Trump.

Pros: Donalds could prevent an all-White ticket from losing ground with voters, and would refuse to undermine Trump in the face of controversy.

Cons: He could appear too polarizing or inexperienced to some, and he runs into the same constitutional issue as Rubio by living in the same state as Trump.

What Donalds has said: After being named to Trump’s unofficial VP shortlist, Donalds told Spectrum News, “Man, it’s cool. It’s kinda surreal. But, you know what, you just work hard, do your job, don’t worry about much else.”

What Trump has said: During a Fox News town hall in February, Trump was asked if Donalds was on his shortlist, to which he said yes, calling him and a few other rumored running mate options “good” and “solid.”

10 of 14

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Sarah Huckabee Sanders served as Trump's White House press secretary from 2017 to 2019. In 2022, she was elected the first female governor of Arkansas, following in the footsteps of her former governor father, Mike Huckabee. While many of Trump's White House staffers turned on him after he left office, Sanders has stood behind Trump, leaving the door open for a future partnership.

Pros: Sanders already has a close relationship with Trump and could help him secure the female vote (exit polls from recent primaries have revealed that men like Trump more than women).

Cons: Voters associate Sanders, another staunchly pro-life politician, with the chaos of Trump's administration — and even in her home state, her favorability rating is lagging.

What Sanders has said: Sanders has claimed to have a "great relationship" with the former president, but has demurred when asked about being his running mate, telling CBS News’ Face the Nation in January, “Look, I absolutely love the job I have. I think it’s one of the best jobs I could ever ask for, and I am honored to serve as governor, and I hope I get to do it for the next seven years.”

What Trump has said: Trump endorsed Sanders’ gubernatorial bid back in 2021, but beyond that, he has not publicly said anything about her as a potential running mate.

11 of 14

Katie Britt

Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Senate, has been billed as a rising star in the Republican Party since joining Congress in 2023. A lawyer who became the first woman to lead the Alabama Business Council, Britt has a lot of potential that Trump has reportedly recognized. Her biggest setback is whether she can be taken seriously by voters, after her bizarre delivery of the GOP’s State of the Union rebuttal (from her kitchen, no less) became an instant punchline nationwide — even among some far-right Republicans.

Pros: At 42, she would significantly lower the Republican ticket’s median age while showing that young women can have conservative views, too.

Cons: She is now best known for the embarrassing SOTU response, has already been likened to Sarah Palin and has limited experience as an elected official.

What Britt has said: Though many viewed the State of the Union rebuttal as Britt’s running mate audition, she has not said much about whether she’d be interested.

What Trump has said: Trump has not said much about the Alabama senator, though several outlets have cited inside sources who say that Britt has been considered.

12 of 14

Kristi Noem

The Congress to governor to vice president pipeline is well-established, and Kristi Noem fits the bill. The first female South Dakota governor — who became a controversial far-right figure in recent years — was rumored to be mulling her own presidential bid last year, but ultimately endorsed Trump instead. As veteran Republican strategist Dave Carney told Politico, Noem has "played her cards right" in earning Trump's respect: "She’s articulate. She has a lot of energy, and she might make an attractive ticket for the president." Her downfall came in April, when a puppy killing scandal seemingly stopped her momentum in its tracks.

Pros: Loyalty, the female vote, and a willingness to mimic Trump's rhetoric. Unlike the more muted Mike Pence, she would cast herself in the shadow of the former president.

Cons: South Dakota isn't where Trump needs a boost, and Noem has faced considerable controversy in recent years — including rumors that she had an affair with Trump's former 2016 campaign manager, and bizarre anecdotes in her new book.

What Noem has said: Noem has been clear that she is open to working for Trump, telling Newsmax in 2023 that if she were asked to be his VP, she would "absolutely" consider the offer: "I would in a heartbeat."

What Trump has said: Trump, in turn, has made clear he’s a fan of Noem, soliciting her to appear at various fundraisers and campaign rallies and saying she's "a warrior for American values." While discussing the status of his VP search on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures in February, he name-dropped Noem as a great ally to his campaign, and later said she was on his list.

13 of 14

Vivek Ramaswamy

Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who suspended his 2024 campaign after placing fourth in the Iowa caucuses, repeatedly defended Trump even while they were opponents. A late-30s biotech entrepreneur with an estimated net worth pushing $1 billion, Ramaswamy built an extremist brand around his “anti-woke” business practices and assertion that diversity, equity and inclusion efforts divide Americans. Now that he’s out of the race, he’s more formally teamed up with Trump to fight for a far-right victory in November.

Pros: His Indian heritage, Ohio residency and youthfulness could all prove helpful for a winning ticket.

Cons: His eagerness to push the boundaries of extremism, and lack of political experience, could prove a liability.

What Ramaswamy has said: After suspending his presidential campaign, Ramaswamy told ABC News that on the subject of vying for veep, he “would evaluate whatever is best for the future of this country."

What Trump has said: When a crowd chanted “VP!” as Ramaswamy stumped for Trump in New Hampshire, the former president played along, telling his supporters Ramaswamy was “going to be working with us for a long time.” He later confirmed that Ramaswamy was among the names being considered, though some have reported he's a more likely contender to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

14 of 14

Greg Abbott

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has a lengthy history in state politics, serving as a justice on the Texas Supreme Court from 1996 to 2001, as the state's attorney general from 2002 to 2015 and as governor since. He and Trump have been fierce supporters of one another in recent years, with Abbott credited for influencing many of Trump's conservative federal judge picks. As the southern border becomes a key 2024 issue, some have begun speculating whether Abbott — whose views on immigration are in lockstep with Trump's— could find a place in the former president's hypothetical second administration.

Pros: Abbott has tough-on-immigration policies that could appease conservative voters, and his wheelchair use would bring a unique kind of diversity to the ticket.

Cons: At the end of the day, Abbott is still a fellow White man with controversial views, and Texas is a solidly Republican state Trump doesn't need help winning.

What Abbott has said: Abbott admitted to CNN in February that there are several people better positioned to be VP than him, but that he would be happy to help Trump come to a decision on which. Around the same time, he told CBS News that he intended to seek a fourth term as governor.

What Trump has said: While visiting with Abbott at the Mexico border in February, Fox News' Sean Hannity asked Trump if the Texas governor is on his VP shortlist. "Absolutely he is," Trump responded. The former president has been known to answer affirmatively to most names that are thrown his direction, though, leaving uncertainty about his seriousness.

Who Trump Has Seemingly Ruled Out for VP

Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence — Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence.
Joe Raedle/Getty, Scott Olson/Getty, John Lamparski/Getty

When Trump becomes the GOP nominee, there are at least three people he doesn't want by his side: Nikki Haley, who was his biggest competitor in the Republican primary; Ron DeSantis, his rival turned friend turned rival again; and Mike Pence, his two-time running mate whom he turned against during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Though Haley could be a strategic pick — she's an experienced female politician from South Carolina who could keep moderates from flocking to Biden — Trump has leaned too hard into criticizing her to entertain the idea of joining forces. "She's not presidential timber," he told New Hampshire voters in January. "Now when I say that, that probably means that she's not going to be chosen as the vice president." And the feeling seems mutual, with Haley declaring around the same time, "I don't want to be anybody's vice president. That is off the table."

DeSantis and Trump enjoyed a long-running rivalry in the lead-up to the 2024 Republican primaries, which fizzled briefly when DeSantis was forced to drop out of the race and threw his support behind the former president's third White House bid. But even though Trump agreed to retire the nickname Ron DeSanctimonious — and at one point mentioned that DeSantis was on his shortlist for VP — their relationship seemingly soured again in February when DeSantis criticized Trump's campaign and denied wanting to be his running mate. Trump's spokesman responded by calling him a "sad little man" and saying, "Now that he’s dipped his high-heeled toes back in the water, he might just find out our shovel can dig a lot deeper.”

And as for a third Trump-Pence ticket, there is virtually no chance. The two had a falling out at the end of their term in office, when Pence refused Trump's orders to stop the certification of the 2020 election results. "Mike and I had a great relationship except for the very important factor that took place at the end," Trump recalled in 2022. "I don’t think the people would accept [him as my 2024 running mate]."

Additional reporting by

Linda Marx