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From the New York Post: Former President Donald Trump weighed choosing Sen. Marco Rubio as his running mate before ultimately selecting Sen. JD Vance as his pick for vice president on Monday, a source familiar with his deliberations told The Post.
A Trump campaign staffer also confirmed Monday the top three candidates were Vance (R-Ohio), Rubio (R-Fla.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum — who had been reported as the top contenders for weeks.
In his final decision, Trump chose Vance in part because he couldn’t get over the “hurdle” of Rubio’s residency issue, the source familiar said, as both men live in Florida.
A source told the New York Post, “The president just couldn’t get over the residency issue, just because of the legal issues that would inevitably come … There was just a conversation of ‘All right, if that’s a hurdle we can’t get over, then understood.'”
Rubio commended Trump’s decision, writing in a social media post on Monday, “JD Vance is a fantastic choice. Americans will soon see this is an incredibly intelligent and talented man who is completely committed to making America great again. Vote for #TrumpVance2024 so we can unite our people and save our country!”
JD Vance is a fantastic choice. Americans will soon see this is an incredibly intelligent and talented man who is completely committed to making America great again.
Vote for #TrumpVance2024 so we can unite our people and save our country!
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 15, 2024
Trump made an appearance at the Republican National Convention while singer Lee Greenwood delivered a moving introduction.
The crowd went wild, as Trump took his seat beside Vance, along with members of his family, Rep. Byron Donalds, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and conservative podcast host Tucker Carlson.
🚨Lee Greenwood gives an incredible introduction to Donald Trump as he enters the RNC Convention 🇺🇸
Grab your tissues. pic.twitter.com/tgrwlCG1K7
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 16, 2024
