“I believe there are many highly capable individuals,” mentioned the president. “I must say, he’s been doing an outstanding job so far. It’s still early days. We’re just getting started.”
“But as we head towards the midterms,” Baier cut in, “[Vance] will likely seek an endorsement.”
“Numerous voices have hailed these initial three weeks as possibly the most remarkable start to a presidency in history,” Trump redirected.
This segment aired on Monday afternoon, shortly after Vance, aged 40, touched down in France with his family to embark on his inaugural foreign trip as vice president.
It is feasible that Trump refrained from endorsing Vance as his potential successor in order to avoid highlighting the constitutional obligation he faces to vacate the office upon concluding his second term in January 2029. via REUTERS
The VP is scheduled to partake in an artificial intelligence summit in Paris before proceeding to the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany, slated for the upcoming weekend.
Trump frequently ponders the notion of amending the Constitution to enable a third term, a move ostensibly aimed at sidestepping the potential diminishment of his political clout that comes with a “lame duck” status.
Vance holds the distinction of being the third-youngest vice president in U.S. history and was handpicked by Trump as his running mate in July, upon the recommendation of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.
At the time of selection, Vance was seen as the running mate most closely aligned with the populist beliefs of the Republican leader.
Having served as a Senator from Ohio for a two-year term, Vance’s professional background includes stints in venture capitalism and law. He is also a bestselling author, with his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” adapted into a film in 2020 by director Ron Howard.
It is not uncommon for presidents to withhold their backing for their vice president’s ambitions for higher office.
Former President Barack Obama dissuaded his second-in-command, Joe Biden, from a presidential bid in 2016, paving the way for then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to clinch the Democratic nomination.
Biden eventually entered the 2020 race and emerged victorious, succeeding in defeating Trump where Clinton had fallen short.
