Tim Scott is ‘doing everything he can’ to be Trump’s running mate: sources
Sen. Tim Scott, who has become a fierce supporter of Donald Trump after dropping his own 2024 presidential bid in the fall, is angling to be selected as the 45th president’s second-in-command, sources who have worked with both men tell The Post.
Since Scott (R-SC) suspended his campaign in November, two months before the first nominating votes were cast, and endorsed Trump following the Iowa caucuses, the 58-year-old senator has been a constant, almost ubiquitous presence on the campaign trail.
“It’s very clear that Tim Scott is doing everything he can to build his relationship with Donald Trump in an attempt to get picked as VP,” a source close to the Trump campaign said.
“It’s pretty clear he’s one of the people who is being considered.”
In February, Scott admitted to the Wall Street Journal that he felt more comfortable campaigning for Trump, 77, to be president than he did when seeking the same office for himself, saying he was “free from the internal struggle on how to promote myself without being braggadocious.”
A month earlier, after Trump’s victory in the New Hampshire primary, the former president told supporters that Scott “must really hate” former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who appointed him to his Senate seat in 2012.
Scott, ever good-natured, leaned into the microphone and told Trump, “I just love you.”
“Tim did a fantastic job increasing his name recognition throughout the primary while avoiding Trump’s fire,” a former Scott staffer explained. “In this session of ‘The Apprentice,’ I think Tim Scott will go far.”
Trump himself has been vague about his veepstakes — reacting positively to names that get thrown his way while declining to rule anyone out.
In February, Fox News host Laura Ingraham asked Trump whether Scott, former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem were on his vice presidential shortlist.
“They are,” confirmed Trump.
Since then, the former president has ruled out Ramaswamy, while DeSantis took himself out of the running the day after Trump’s Fox appearance — leaving Scott among the prominent contenders.
“The senator has a unique role within the Republican Party and I think the former president appreciates that,” says a former supporter of Scott’s presidential run, referencing his status as the only black Republican senator.
“I think he appreciates how he conducted himself on the national stage when he ran for president,” the person added. “And the message that he offered obviously differs from the president … and I do think there’s likely an effort to provide a degree of balance to the ticket.”
Those close to the Trump campaign have reiterated amid the swirling rumors that the 45th president is looking for someone who is loyal, on board with his agenda, and adds to the ticket, but won’t compete for the spotlight — all traits that would seem to fit Scott, whose campaign platform barely deviated from Trump’s.
The former president himself has said he is looking for someone who will be able to step in should something happen to him.
“It’s got to be who would [be] able to be a good president. I mean, you always have to think that because you know, a civil emergency … things happen, right?” he told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” in February. “No matter who you are, things happen. It’s got to be number one.”
“You want the vice president to be a value to the nominee,” the former Scott supporter said. “A value add, to bring something to the table that you might not have — and I think that’s something Donald Trump has done a pretty good job of over the course of his time in American politics. There are things that he does really well, and then there are things that he knows can help him do his job better or can appeal to more voters.
“I think [Scott has] been pretty clear that he will — he’s interested in being an advocate for Donald Trump and certainly has not turned down the notion that he could be the vice presidential nominee,” the source went on.
“He seems to be a pretty natural fit for the VP slot.”
Those close to Trump have insisted the decision will ultimately come down to the former president alone, and there’s no set timeline on his announcement.
“Tim Scott would make a great running mate. He’s well-liked by many, including President Trump,” an official working for Trump’s re-election told The Post.
“However, all running mate talk at this point by anyone but Donald John Trump is pure speculation. There are about a dozen people in the running and President Trump will announce who his pick is in a time and manner of his choosing.”
