(ConservativeSense.com) – Former President Donald Trump hosted the spring retreat for the Republican National Committee (RNC) at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida over the weekend, surrounding himself with potential and prospective candidates for a running mate.
Among the guests on stage with Trump were North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum; Sens. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida; entrepreneur and political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy.
A few days before, on Wednesday, May 1, Trump said that he would announce his decision sometime before the Republican Convention in July. A campaign spokesperson also said that all media speculation is just that and that no one knows who Trump will actually pick until he names that person himself.
Some of the other retreat attendees include House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana; Reps. Wesley Hunt of Texas, Byron Donalds of Florida, Jim Banks of Indiana, and Michael Waltz of Florida; Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio, Mike Lee of Utah, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee; and two GOP Senate candidates, Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania and Bernie Moreno of Ohio.
Trump recognized and thanked the RNC for its fundraising efforts toward his campaign, and the “enthusiasm” the party has shown for his overall movement and message. Trump spoke for an hour and a half about the upcoming race, the state of the US economy, the southern border crisis, immigration, the university campus protests, and election integrity.
Trump’s most controversial remark during the speech was when he described Biden’s presidency as a “Gestapo administration,” referencing the Nazi Germany secret police when describing what he claims are politically motivated legal attacks on him and a weaponization of the judicial system by his opponents to keep him out of returning to the White House.
The former president recognized Johnson and his efforts as House Speaker, calling for party unity at a time when it’s needed most. The support comes in the wake of efforts by long-time Trump-supporter Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s threats to oust the Speaker. She is now speaking with Johnson and has backed off after Trump privately advised her to.
Who Trump will finally decide on for his running mate remains to be seen. He told a reporter in Milwaukee on Wednesday, May 1, that he will announce his decision closer to the Republican National Convention in July.
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