Trump was still taking calls from influential friends and insiders on his VP hours before he announced the decision.
Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, and David Sacks have been quietly promoting J.D. Vance as Donald Trump’s running mate, despite Vance’s past criticism of Trump. According to Axios, the three reached out to Trump after the recent assassination attempt, touting Vance’s virtues as a potential VP pick. Carlson reportedly praised Vance for not “secretly hat[ing] Trump” and sharing similar values, such as opposing aid to Ukraine.
Trump is said to be smitten with Vance’s “youth and vigor” and sees him as a way to appeal to a wider base. The plan is to have Vance campaign heavily in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin to shore up support and block a Biden win in crucial Blue Wall states. Meanwhile, Musk and Sacks are part of a group of tech billionaires who have pledged to support Trump’s third presidential bid through the America PAC, along with other donors like Joe Lonsdale and the Winklevoss twins.
