JD Vance is ‘99 percent’ certain to be Trump’s running mate, campaign source says

Former president Donald Trump has settled on Ohio Senator JD Vance as his choice to serve as vice president, should he clinch the White House in the next presidential election.

The ex-president was set to announce his choice on Monday afternoon at the opening session of this year’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sources involved with the Trump campaign have told The Independent that they are “99 percent sure” that the 39-year-old Ivy League graduate will get the nod.

After a gunman fired several rifle shots at Trump at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Vance took an aggressive stance. On Twitter/X, he blamed remarks by senior Democrats — including President Biden — for inciting the attack which led to the death of one man at the event, critical injuries to two more and and an injury to the former president.

Trump had spent the past few weeks encouraging speculation about his choice to replace his former vice president, Mike Pence, on the ticket with him. It is understood that he has been considering Vance, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio as potential picks, but sources say he has almost certainly settled on the Ohio senator. On Monday afternoon, Reuters reported Rubio has been told he is not Trump’s running-mate pick. Fox News also reported that Burgum had been informed he was not Trump’s choice.

One insider linked to the Trump campaign told The Independent: “I am 99 per cent sure it is Vance. The Feds are already securing his home ahead of the announcement and unless he has had a personal threat then I can’t think of any other reason that would happen.”

Another said: “I have always thought [Vance] would be