Donald Trump Seriously Considered Fox News Anchor As His Running Mate

In the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump reportedly considered a surprising and unconventional choice for his vice-presidential running mate: Maria Bartiromo, the prominent anchor of Mornings with Maria on Fox Business Network. According to a new book by Politico reporter Alex Isenstadt, Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power, Trump was “dead serious” about naming Bartiromo as his No. 2, but aides ultimately convinced him that there wasn’t enough time to vet her thoroughly. Trump’s support for Bartiromo was rooted in her long-standing relationship with the president. The Fox Business host was a “Trump favorite” for years, often defending him on-air and conducting friendly, softball interviews. According to Isenstadt, Trump admired her ability to connect with “big-donor Wall Street types” and her expertise in television, elements that would help in bolstering his campaign with key financial backers and media-savvy voters. Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff at the time, reportedly ended the conversation, explaining that they simply didn’t have the time to conduct the necessary background checks. A thorough vetting of a running mate typically involves a detailed review of personal, professional, financial, and political backgrounds, as well as interviews and investigations into past actions and statements. With the campaign already in full swing, aides feared that there was insufficient time to vet Bartiromo properly, especially given the political and media scrutiny that would come with such an unorthodox selection. During her 2020 interview with Trump, she notably provided the president with questions ahead of time, giving him a heads-up on what to expect. This level of cooperation was in sharp contrast to the majority of the mainstream media. Bartiromo, in turn, gained visibility and a substantial platform from her frequent appearances with Trump, further solidifying her standing within the conservative media establishment. As one of the most recognized faces on Fox Business, she was also in a prime position to influence discourse on the right, which may have made her an appealing pick for Trump. While she had an established connection with Trump’s base, the nature of her role as a television personality may have raised questions about her qualifications for high office, particularly in contrast to the more traditional political figures like Vance. In a related chapter, Revenge also discusses a scandal involving Trump’s town hall with Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. According to Isenstadt, Trump’s team was given the exact questions in advance before the live event in January 2024. The book claims that a senior aide received the questions in advance, which they then used to “workshop answers” ahead of the broadcast. A network spokesperson stated that while it is taking the claim seriously, there is no evidence that Bret Baier or Martha MacCallum were involved in leaking the questions. Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News