Donald Trump mocked for six-person VP shortlist including Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and Tulsi Gabbard

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: During a Fox News Town Hall event on Monday, February 19, former President Donald Trump disclosed that he has a shortlist containing six potential candidates under consideration for the position of running mate and vice president, should he win the upcoming US general election in November this year.

The six-person shortlist includes three of Trump's former Republican presidential rivals, and one ex-Democrat.

Among the names on the list are Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, biotech multi-millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Additionally, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Florida Republican Byron Donalds, and former Democrat Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard are also under consideration for the role, according to a report by DailyMail.

What did Trump say about potential running mates during Monday Town Hall?

The 77-year-old GOP presidential front-runner told Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Monday night, “All of those people are good. They're all solid.”

However, Trump stated that picking a running mate might not be the most important decision of his 2024 campaign.

“The one thing that always surprises me is that the VP choice always has no impact,” the MAGA strongman remarked.

Trump commented on the role of the Vice President, noting that it is crucial to choose someone who can appeal to voters and has good judgment.

He cited the example of Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican VP nominee, whom he believed had a significant impact but faced unprecedented attacks.

Trump emphasized the need for his running mate to possess "common sense" and be someone who can effectively assist him in his duties, who can bring value to the ticket and help secure a successful election outcome.

“It's a very important position. You would like to get somebody who could help you from the voters' standpoint,” he added.

The battle to become Donald Trump’s running mate

Harking back to the early Republican primaries, the Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, was subjected to Donald Trump's infamous ridicule as he called him “Meatball Ron,” “Ron DeSanctimonius,” and “Pudding Fingers” until he withdrew from the race and endorsed the former President.

Tulsi Gabbard, who had served several terms in the House of Representatives and ran for President in 2020 as a Democrat, has since left the party and become a regular contributor to conservative media.

After the early contests, both Senator Tim Scott and Vivek Ramaswamy withdrew from the race and endorsed Trump.

Governor Kristi Noem and Byron Donalds, two of Trump's dependable and steadfast allies, were early endorsers in 2024.

The former POTUS faces a critical decision in determining whether he should prioritize absolute loyalty, campaign skills, or the ability to appeal to moderate and independent voters in a closely divided election.

Following the January 6 insurrection, Donald Trump's former Vice President, Mike Pence, is no longer a contender, as Trump faulted him for lacking the "courage" to support him in trying circumstances.

As former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley continues to challenge him even after his sweeping victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, Trump's campaign advisors are already providing him with potential running mate options.

Although Trump didn't mention others by name during the town hall, several other candidates are also speculated to be on his shortlist, including Rep Elise Stefanik of New York, still-running former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Arizona Republican Kari Lake, Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, and conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson.

Ohio Senator JD Vance and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were also assumed to be on that shortlist.

Internet befuddled with Trump's speculated shortlist

People on X ridiculed the alleged list of possible candidates to run alongside the MAGA figurehead in the upcoming November general elections.

One X user said, "I don’t believe him."

Another remarked, "Dear God. Sh!t is about to get real. At least MTG didn’t make the list."

Someone else quipped, "A smorgasbord of losers! Gonna be glorious!!"

One user claimed, "He does this to make them all fight as hard as they can in public. It's his standard trademark method. But I find it hilarious that Kari Lake is not on the list, nor is Marjorie Taylor Green. In the end he'll do whatever he pleases and it won't be any of this."

Another wrote, "He is just accumulating loyal servants to carry his campaign. He will add more names."

Finally, a user tweeted, "Best news Dems could have."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.