Trump mocked as he considers Glenn Youngkin for VP amid campaign efforts in blue states

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: Billionaire Rupert Murdoch is urging former President Donald Trump to choose Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) as his running mate.

This is notable given the recent update that the Trump campaign intends to host its first post-June 27 CNN presidential debate rally in Virginia, with Governor Youngkin scheduled to attend, according to the Augusta Free Press.

It's worth remembering that Murdoch had previously urged Governor Youngkin to launch a late campaign for the Republican Party's presidential nomination, driven by his strong personal dislike for the MAGA figurehead.

However, the outcome that the 90-year-old media mogul expected might not carry the same weight among the ever-ardent supporters of Donald Trump as it did in 2016.

Just last week, former President Trump met with Governor Youngkin at a Trump-owned golf club in Northern Virginia to discuss conditions that could enhance his standing in the state.

Gov Youngkin reportedly provided polling data that allegedly showed Donald Trump competing with President Joe Biden in the state.

Following the meeting, the embattled ex-POTUS stated that he “could consider” the term-limited governor for the 2024 running mate position on the GOP ticket.

Nonetheless, multiple reports suggest that Gov Youngkin is far from being on the VP shortlist for the 78-year-old, particularly with the Republican convention less than a month away.

Understandably, Trump is seriously considering Youngkin, with recent polling in Virginia indicating a potential path for the former president to be competitive in the state, one which he lost in both his 2016 and 2020 presidential runs.

What steps did Trump and Biden take to swing the battleground states in their favor?

The Trump campaign is increasing its grassroots operations in Minnesota and Virginia, aiming to put President Biden's campaign on the defensive in traditionally Democratic states, according to a new internal campaign memo obtained by CBS News on Friday.

The memo details plans to secure leases for eight 'Trump Force 47' offices in Minnesota and 11 campaign offices in Virginia, as part of a collaborative effort between the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee's grassroots volunteer canvassing program.

The campaign has also brought on additional staff to oversee its efforts in Virginia and Minnesota and is establishing teams for the all-important pre-polling groundwork in these states.

By focusing on Minnesota and Virginia, the former president’s campaign team expects to create "at least 12 additional pathways to 270," as stated in the memo written by James Blair, the Trump campaign's political director.

Citing internal campaign polls, the Trump campaign sees an opportunity to turn Minnesota and Virginia in its favor due to President Joe Biden's declining favorability in those states, as well as Trump's increased support from Black and Hispanic voters.

Despite Minnesota not voting Republican since 1972 and Virginia not supporting a Republican presidential candidate for over two decades, Trump aims to redirect resources from Biden's campaign by fiercely competing in these historically Democratic states.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has allocated around $500,000 in Minnesota ahead of the election. This investment targets staffing, technology upgrades, outreach campaigns, email fundraising, data management, and operations infrastructure, and initiatives to strengthen the party's foundation.

A spokesperson from the DNC informed the outlet mentioned earlier that Trump's campaign strategy in Minnesota had not altered their pre-established plans.

The Biden campaign has six field offices in Virginia and has organized multiple grassroots events in the state as well.

In a statement issued on Friday evening, Biden campaign spokesperson Caroline Stonecipher asserted, "If Trump wants to spend his time and money trying to campaign in blue states, be our guest.”

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Virginia on June 28, following the first presidential debate with the 81-year-old incumbent POTUS.

This will be his second visit to Virginia during this election cycle, while his first visit to Minnesota was for a fundraiser in St. Paul in May.

Internet mocks Trump campaign's efforts to gain ground in traditionally blue

One X user remarked, "He's going to lose no matter how hard the media tries to make people believe he's FIT for office. He was a disaster 4 years ago... never again!"

Another user claimed, "Biden isn’t on his 'heels.' Trump isn’t winning my state."

Another user wrote, "Trump will waste his money there. Sounds good to me."

One user said, "Really? The reality is Trump is waaay behind on ground game, everywhere." [sic]

Another X user quipped, "This is what Democrats want - Trump burning resources in states he has little chance to win."

Another user argued, "the tv stations in both states celebrate as their revenues will get an unexpected boost but tv ads don’t really sway voters." [sic]

Finally, this user tweeted, "Anything he does at this point is a waste of time. He has already shot himself in the foot and he will be crushed at the polls. Biden will be president." [sic]

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.