Trump to parade VP hopefuls before billionaires at secretive retreat: report

Taking time out from his hush money trial and campaign rallies, Donald Trump will be holding a vice presidential tryout in Palm Beach this weekend at a resort other than Mar-a-Lago with heightened security.

According to a report from Bloomberg, the former president will be parading veep hopefuls before a handful of billionaire donors as he seeks someone who can bolster his election prospects as well as help bring in additional funding to his cash-strapped campaign.

An insider involved in the planning claimed the Four Seasons resort will be in "lockdown" to keep reporters and "unauthorized visitors out of the beach-front complex" and away from prying eyes.

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According to the report, the exclusive retreat will be attended by "hundreds of deep-pocketed GOP backers as well as allies eyeing the No. 2 spot on the Republican presidential ticket," and contenders for the number two spot include "Ohio Senator JD Vance, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott."

The invitation for the event also advertises possible appearances by GOP Reps. Elise Stefanik (NY), Byron Donalds (FL) and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who is currently mired in a firestorm after admitting in her new book to shooting her puppy Cricket years ago in a gravel pit and admitting that she "hated' the dog.

According to Bloomberg's report, "Trump is saddled with legal woes. His running mate could be a crucial surrogate on the campaign trail, helping broaden his appeal with independents, women and minority voters, while also helping tap wealthy donors as he trails President Joe Biden by nearly $100 million.

"Trump’s running mate may have to take on an unusually large amount of campaigning if the former president’s legal troubles prevent him from maintaining a robust travel schedule."

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