Former President Trump‘s top VP wannabes are making the pilgrimage to Atlanta to be close at hand during the first presidential debate — even though they can’t be in the audience.
Why it matters: Veepstakes speculation has reached a fever pitch amid rumors that a decision could come as soon as this week, public trolling by top Trump campaign officials and a round of televised interviews with the top contenders.
Driving the news: Sens. J.D. Vance (Ohio), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Tim Scott (S.C.) will join Reps. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) and Byron Donalds (Fla.) as well as Gov. Doug Burgum (N.D.) and former HUD Secretary Ben Carson at the RNC fundraiser and watch party in Atlanta, according to an updated copy of an invite obtained by Axios, with some names not yet reported.
- All have been seriously considered as possible running mates, including receiving vetting documents.
- Other Trump allies will join them, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas).
- Tickets to the event cost $10,000 per couple— or $25,000 for seats at a table with Trump surrogates. Fundraising prowess has been a top consideration for Trump’s VP pick, as Axios has reported.
What to watch: Some of those on the list for the fundraiser are also expected to be in the spin room to tout the former president after the debate — though the two lists will differ some, a source familiar with the matter told Axios.
