DeSantis Makes His Stance Clear After Making Trump’s VP ‘Short List’

DeSantis Responds After Making Trump’s VP ‘Short List’

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made it clear on Wednesday that he has no interest in serving as Donald Trump’s vice president, following Trump’s announcement that DeSantis was among those being considered for the role.

“People were mentioning me [as a potential vice president]. I am not doing that,” DeSantis communicated to a group of Republicans he had enlisted as delegates for the upcoming nominating convention, during a call intended to express his gratitude in a conversation shared exclusively with the New York Post.

“I know some people are really actively seeking it. It seems to me, just from watching kind of the body language and stuff, that you have a handful of folks who seem to be auditioning for it,” he added.

The governor then contrasted his own criteria for a vice-presidential candidate with what he anticipates will be Trump’s approach.

“I think my criteria [for running mate] was different than what probably Donald Trump’s criteria will be,” he noted.

“So you need someone who can just go in, day one, no problem, they can do the job,” he stated, expressing a preference for governors as potential running mates.

DeSantis also expressed skepticism about Trump’s selection criteria.

“I’m not sure that those are necessarily going to be the criteria that Donald Trump uses. I think he’s going to probably use different criteria. I’ve heard that they are looking more at identity politics. I think that’s a mistake. I think you should just focus on who you think the best person for the job would be,” DeSantis argued.

Trump had disclosed on a Fox News town hall Tuesday evening that his “short list” for a vice-presidential candidate included DeSantis, Tulsi Gabbard, Tim Scott, Byron Donalds, Vivek Ramaswamy and Kristi Noem.

Regarding his own political future, DeSantis, whose term as governor ends in January 2027, hinted at the possibility of a presidential run in 2028.

“We’re still in this election cycle, so it’s presumptuous to say this or that,” he remarked, acknowledging the support he has received from grassroots movements in key states.

DeSantis had previously suspended his presidential campaign on January 21, following a significant defeat to Trump in the Iowa caucus. He also endorsed Trump over Nikki Haley, another contender for the 2024 Republican nomination.

In the same call, DeSantis reflected on the negative campaigning he faced from Trump and his allies.

“I think [Trump’s] got people in his inner circle who were a part of our orbit years ago that we fired, and I think some of that is they have an ax to grind,” he suggested.

He disputed the notion that these attacks diminished his standing among Republican voters. Instead, DeSantis attributed Trump’s sustained support to a combination of sympathy from his indictments and a rallying conservative media, which led many to view Trump’s nomination as inevitable.

DeSantis also shared his intention to remain active and vocal on the national stage, teasing future updates and initiatives.

“Hopefully we have your contact information,” he told the delegates, hinting at forthcoming communications.

In response to DeSantis’ comments, Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized the governor’s presidential campaign and suggested he concentrate on efforts to oppose Joe Biden.

“Ron DeSantis failed miserably in his presidential campaign and does not have a voice in selecting the next Vice President of the United States,” Leavitt stated. “Rather than throw cheap shots from afar, Ron should focus on what he can do to fire Joe Biden and Make America Great Again.”

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