Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to speak at next week’s Republican convention in front of Trump, whose father picked him as vice presidential candidate, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill.
Trump Jr. is a close ally and friend of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), who is a finalist for former President Trump’s running mate. Trump Jr.’s speaking time is likely to fuel speculation that Vance will be the choice.
A source downplayed Trump Jr.’s speaking time as not an indication of who would be selected, telling The Hill for weeks that Trump Jr. was scheduled to speak at the convention on Wednesday.
But the former president’s son has made little secret of his preference for his father’s running mate among the final candidates: Vance, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
“You know, I’ve supported J.D. Vance in some ways,” Trump Jr. said on a recent podcast.
Trump is expected to announce his choice ahead of the Republican National Convention, which begins next Monday, but the former president has said he may wait until the convention to make an announcement in order to heighten suspense.
Vance and Rubio said Sunday they had not heard anything about whether they had been Trump’s nominee.
Trump is scheduled to hold a rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, not far from the Ohio border.
