The race to become the next President of the United States is underway. For the Republicans, former President Donald Trump is front-running, but the tides could change if he picks his GOP opponent as his vice president as supports threaten a Republican revolt.
Why are supporters and other conservators fearful of this choice? And why would it the smart move for Trump to make? Let’s get into it.
Trump Currently Leads the Race
Currently, Trump is the front-runner for the GOP’s 2024 nomination. He has recently gained traction after winning the Republican caucus in Iowa on Monday with 51 percent of the vote.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trails behind with 21.2 percent of the vote, while former South Carolina Governor and ex-United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley took 19.1 percent of the vote.
Who Is Trump’s Pick for Vice President?
While it seems Trump might become the GOP pick for the presidential election, leading the race with 43.5 percent of voter support (via poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight), Haley has been seen as a threat, especially in New Hampshire, as she lingers with 30.5 percent of voter support.
Some Republicans are starting to worry that Trump will pick Haley as his vice president if he wins the GOP nomination.
Supporters Push Back, Threatening Republican Revolt
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, took to social media to voice his disapproval of the rumor floating around. “Nikki Haley must not become Trump’s VP candidate. Pro-war, pro-illegals, pro-censorship, pro-DC Uniparty,” Kirk wrote.
He continued, writing: “Haley would single-handedly drag down Trump enthusiasm 10-15%. The base would revolt.”
Republicans Are Not Fans of Haley’s Moderate Leaning Politics
Kirk isn’t the only Republican to disapprove of the rumor. Representative Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican and Trump supporter, commented on Kirk’s post, writing that he is “spot on,” (via Florida Voice News).
Haley has been balancing the boundary between moderate and conservative, presenting herself as a new generation of leadership.
Other Options for Vice President
After Kirk’s tweet gained traction, the Turning Point USA founder decided to give Trump alternative options for vice president. In his list, Kirk listed Tucker Carlson, Ben Carson, Dyron Donalds, JD Vance, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Kristi Noem as some “good VP candidates that the grassroots would embrace.”
Ramaswamy was recently on stage with Trump during the former president’s campaign rally in Atkinson, New Hampshire. According to Newsweek, people in the crowd reportedly cheered, “VP!”
Could Ramaswamy Be Trump’s Choice for VP?
However, the chances for Ramaswamy to be Trump’s VP are “slim to none,” according to Fox News host and former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, (via Newsweek).
Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur and former GOP candidate in the 2024 race and endorsed Trump after dropping out of the race following his low numbers in the Iowa caucus.
Why Ramaswamy Is an Unlikely Choice
“Trump needs every single Republican vote, so choosing someone who is just like him, I think, is a fool’s errand,” McEnany said, (via Newsweek).
She continued, saying, “I think when you’re looking at a vice presidential candidate, you don’t want a carbon copy of the nominee. And in many ways, Vivek and Trump, they pick up the same base of voters. It’s the MAGA voters, the conservative voters. You want someone who’s going to add to your ticket.
Trump vs. Haley: Will Anyone Lose?
While rumor is that Trump might be looking at Haley as his running mate if he earns the GOP nomination, the former President has been campaigning hard against the ex-United Nations Ambassador.
Trump recently launched a series of social media attacks against Haley on Wednesday, one including an image with Haley’s face edited over an image of Hillary Clinton, who was Trump’s 2016 Democrat opponent.
Trump Being His Attacks on Haley
On Jan. 16, Trump criticized Haley at a rally in Atkinson, New Hampshire, hoping to influence voters disappointed with the lack of Haley’s presence in two debates and a light schedule of campaign stops.
“Nikki Haley is counting on the Democrats and liberals to infiltrate your Republican primary,” Trump said, per the New York Times, after calling Haley a “disaster” who was “not tough enough” for the presidency.
Haley Has Been Supportive of Trump
However, Nikki hasn’t been openly critical of Trump, despite his attempt to call her a foreigner in a Truth Social post where he misspelled her first name Minarata as Mimrada. Haley is the American-born daughter of Indian immigrants and took her husband’s last name after they married.
Nikki has seemingly been kind to Trump, defending him until he is proven guilty for his abuse cases, which he has been found liable for, according to the New Republic.
Will There Be a Republican Revolt?
Despite the campaign tactics underway, no one knows who Trump will choose to be his vice president if he gets the GOP nomination for the 2024 presidential campaign, which would give him presidential immunity from the courts. Will there be a Republican revolt? Probably not.
New Hampshire will hopefully provide more insight into the race for the nomination. Trump and Haley will continue to battle it out, but there is a chance we could see more of them together in the presidential race.
