Trump Says GOP Rival Could Be His Running Mate: ‘I Have To Like A Guy Like That’
Donald Trump appears to have identified someone he would consider as a running mate should he win the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, and it just happens to be someone who is running against him for the nod.
The 45th president said Tuesday he has “to like a guy like” Vivek Ramaswamy, a business entrepreneur who has been rising in the polls and has refrained from being critical of Trump, The Hill reported.
Well, I think he’s great. Look, anybody that said I’m the best president in a generation … I have to like a guy like that,” Trump told Glenn Beck in a call-in interview on Blaze TV, in reference to comments Ramaswamy made during the first GOP primary debate last week.
“He’s a smart guy. He’s a young guy. He’s got a lot of talent. He’s a very, very, very intelligent person,” Trump continued. “He’s got good energy, and he could be in some form of something. I tell ya, I think he’d be very good. I think he’s really
He went on to say that the entrepreneur has become “a little bit controversial” as he has gained more notoriety.
The Hill added:
Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old entrepreneur, was among the most prominent candidates on the debate stage last week in Milwaukee. He has gained significant media attention as his poll numbers have ticked up and as he has made various inflammatory and controversial statements.
He has said he would cede parts of Ukraine to Russia to end the war in Ukraine; he has suggested the U.S. should cut off support to Israel; and he has faced backlash for incendiary remarks about Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), comparing the Black lawmaker to “modern grand wizards” of the Ku Klux Klan.
According to RealClearPolitics’ average of polls, Ramaswamy has risen to third place behind Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Rumors have swirled for months who Trump is considering as a running mate, with early reports claiming he is leaning towards naming a woman as his choice for VP.
Trump reacted to potentially teaming up with long-shot 2024 Democratic presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr., singing his praises as “a smart guy.”
During a call-in segment with Newsmax TV host Rob Schmitt, the 45th president was asked if he thought Kennedy would impact the race if he ran on a third-party ticket.
“I don’t know, but he’s got great support in the party. He’s got great support in the Democrat Party,” Trump responded. Trump added that he had seen some polling where Kennedy was getting 23 percent. “That’s a lot of vote,” he said.
