Concord, New Hampshire – Former President Donald Trump told supporters in the final days of the New Hampshire primary that he likely will not choose Nikki Haley, his rival for the 2024 Republican nomination, as his running mate.
“She's not the president's correspondent,” Trump said of Haley at a rally Friday night in New Hampshire's capital. “If I say that now, it probably means she won't be elected vice president.”
At the same rally, the former president won the support of South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who ended his bid for the White House in November.
“It's time to unite the party to make sure the only target we're talking about is firing.” [President] Biden. Our country won't take another four years. “I don't know if it's going to take another 10 months,” Scott said in a Fox News interview after Trump's rally. It's about uniting the people.'' ”
Tim Scott supports Donald Trump ahead of New Hampshire primary
Sen. Tim Scott (R.C.) speaks as Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump looks on at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire, Friday, January 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Although Scott's presidential campaign did not take off, he remained extremely popular among Republican primary voters and his support was coveted by the remaining Republican candidates.
Scott downplayed the conversation with his running mate when he withdrew from the race two months ago.
But a senior political insider in the Senate told Fox News on Saturday that they have not ruled out Scott becoming his running mate if President Trump confirms his nomination in the coming weeks.
Ron DeSantis claims Tim Scott's support for Donald Trump is 'a blow' to Nikki Haley
The source added, “I would not be surprised if Scott remains a candidate for vice president.''
With Trump overwhelmingly winning the Iowa caucuses on Monday – an important first step for the former president toward winning the Republican nomination – talk is growing about who he will pick as his running mate.
In addition to Mr. Scott, speculation has also swirled around New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, the fourth-ranking Republican in the House, an ardent supporter of Mr. Trump and an ally on Capitol Hill.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listen to former Congressman Lee Zeldin (RN.Y.) speak at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire, Friday, January 19, 2024. Former president. (AP) Photo/Matt Rourke) (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Stefanik spoke at a rally Friday night and made multiple campaign stops on behalf of Trump on Saturday.
“I'm proud to work for the Trump administration in any capacity,” she told Fox News.
Haley turns up heat on Trump as she tries to close the gap with Republican front-runner
On Friday, there was also talk of a running mate for Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who campaigned on Trump's behalf in Kingston, New Hampshire.
“The best place for me would be to actually be a champion of the agenda in the United States Senate,” Vance told reporters about a possible vice presidential nomination.
But, he added, “Certainly, if the president asked, I would have to think about it, because I want to help the president.”
Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio campaigns on behalf of former President Donald Trump on January 19, 2024 in Kingston, New Hampshire. (Fox News – James Levinson)
The spotlight on the vice presidential nominee has also turned to several other Republican politicians who have campaigned with or on behalf of Trump in recent weeks. The list also includes South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, who remains neutral in the Republican nomination race, is also considered a running mate.
Earlier this month, President Trump dropped a provocative bombshell at Fox News Town Hall in Des Moines, Iowa, saying, “I know who's going to drop the bomb.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
But despite that bombshell, few people in his political ranks really understand who President Trump favors as his running mate.
“Trump values loyalty and loyalty to his supporters above all else,” said Ryan Williams, a veteran Republican strategist.
Timing is key, Williams said: “If you want to be chosen as the running mate, now is a good time to come forward and campaign and support him before the nomination contest is formally concluded.” did.
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub.
