REPORT: New Shakeup in Trump VP Race

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, who has long been viewed as a top contender to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate, is slipping in the VP sweepstakes and is no longer seen as a leading candidate, according to a report from the New York Post.

Scott, 58, immediately endorsed former President Trump after suspending his presidential campaign before Iowa last year. He fiercely campaigned for Trump on the campaign trail, particularly in his home state of South Carolina, where the former president cruised to victory over former Palmetto State Governor Nikki Haley.

According to recent reporting, Trump has narrowed his VP shortlist down to a few names, Scott being one of them. Additional candidates include Senator JD Vance (R-OH), Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, among others. Names on the shortlist are in the process of being vetted before Trump makes a decision, which is expected to come during or before next month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Sources familiar with the situation told the New York Post that Senator Scott is not expected to be Trump’s running mate, however.

“I think it is extremely unlikely he will be picked,” said one insider. “You go down the list of reasons to choose a VP, and he isn’t a standout or game-changer in any category.”

“His star has become less bright, for sure,” a second “well-connected” source told the outlet. “Still a top five pick — but not the strongest.” The source also suggested that Scott may not resonate with the black community in the way the campaign may have hoped.

“There are stronger options, and Tim has the potential to serve in the Cabinet, so I think he’ll still play an important role,” the source told The Post.

A third insider stated that Scott was “still in the mix, but I suspect his biggest issue is that he’s just not very good on TV.” Another informed The Post that Trump does not believe the VP selection will provide much of an electoral advantage, meaning that candidates like Scott or Rubio do not hold significant advantages over other contenders like Burgum or Vance.

The insiders also reported that a number of “dark horse” candidates remain very much in contention, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Dr. Ben Carson.

“Trump is looking for three things,” the fourth source said. “He’s looking for who can raise money, he’s looking for who is an effective surrogate on TV with adversarial media, and he’s looking at who will do the best job debating Kamala Harris.”

“Tim Scott is in contention, but probably the least likely of the four. There hasn’t been any data or evidence pointing to either Tim Scott or Marco Rubio adding to Trump’s margins with minorities.”

One of the former president’s campaign advisors told the New York Post that Trump has continuously raved about Scott’s campaigning on his behalf in recent weeks. Scott’s name has also been mentioned by prominent financiers like Ken Griffin and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, possibly raising his standing.

“Senator Scott is a respected leader and very strong supporter of President Trump,” said Trump senior adviser Brian Hughes. “Any speculation of the likelihood of the Senator or any other possible choice is inaccurate because anyone claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying, unless the person is named Donald J. Trump.”