Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) discussed the possibility of serving as former President Donald Trump’s vice president on Sunday, asserting his capability to step in as commander-in-chief if necessary.
“I believe I have the ability to step in,” Donalds said on Meet the Press. “I’m quite intelligent and can handle issues effectively. It’s about judgment, logic, and decision-making at the end of the day.”
Donalds is among eight individuals on Trump’s shortlist for vice president, which includes Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), J.D. Vance (R-OH), and Tom Cotton (R-AR).
His comments followed Trump’s statement to black voters in Detroit, where Trump mentioned Donalds was “very high” on his list.
During a community roundtable event at 180 Church, Trump, joined by Donalds and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, indicated Donalds as a potential VP pick. “Donalds is on the list of potential vice presidents,” Trump told the crowd. “Would anybody like to see him? Your name is very high on the list.”
Trump also met with Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C., last week, suggesting his vice presidential choice was likely present. He hinted he would announce his pick at the Republican National Convention in July.
Donalds, a member of the House Financial Services Committee in his second term, has a background in banking. In his TV interview, he emphasized that he would be surrounded by experts if chosen as vice president.
“You cannot discount the fact that you would have a lot of qualified people around to help you do that job and serve the best interests of the American people,” Donalds said.
While expressing his confidence in his ability to serve, Donalds added that he would support whoever Trump chose for the position.
