Former President Donald Trump, for some unexpected reason, is likening the man at the top of his shortlist to be his running mate to “a young Abraham Lincoln.”
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee made the comparison on Wednesday when asked about a recent report by Brian Kilmeade of the conservative website Fox News. Bulwark He said beards like those held by Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance are offensive.
“No, I haven’t heard that,” Trump said when asked about reports suggesting Vance’s facial hair could impede his running mate selection. “He looks good… he looks like a young Abraham Lincoln.”
Biden’s campaign schedule reveals president’s plans amid calls to drop out of 2024 election
Former President Donald Trump and Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance. (Getty Images)
Vance is one of several potential candidates rumored or reported to be on Trump’s shortlist, which also includes North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, but some top Republican strategists see the first-term senator as the party’s best option to flip the traditional working-class Democratic vote in many battleground states.
Trump’s choice remains a mystery for now, but the former president said during an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity” on Monday that he will “probably” announce the name of his nominee “shortly before” next week’s Republican National Convention.
“It’s possible we could do it during the tournament,” he reiterated, but said the timing might be “a little complicated.”
Click here to get the FOX News app
Former President Trump’s running mate field appears to have been narrowed down to three candidates: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. (Getty Images)
Trump is scheduled to hold a rally near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, not far from the Ohio border on Saturday, but it was not immediately clear whether Vance would attend.
Vance’s team declined to comment on the matter.
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
