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(NewsNation) — NewsNation has confirmed former President Donald Trump has been meeting with allies for debate prep, some of whom are also rumored to be in the running for vice president.
A source confirmed that some of the people Trump has met with include Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio; Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.; and Tom Homan, who served as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Trump.
Vance and Rubio are both rumored to be on Trump’s short list for a running mate. While Rubio and Trump clashed during the 2016 GOP primary election, he has since become a Trump supporter.
Others in attendance included Kellyanne Conway, Stephen Miller, Ric Grenell and Jason Miller. The group of allies and advisers are those who have stuck by Trump as others formerly in his inner circle have fallen away throughout his presidency.
The first presidential debate is set for June 27 after Trump and President Joe Biden agreed to face each other on stage. The candidates sparred on social media over the prospect, taking shots at each other’s mental capacity as voters have expressed worries over the age of both candidates.
“President Trump talks with voters in town halls, speaks to thousands at rallies, and frequently takes questions from the press. Biden has claimed to win both 2020 debates,” said Trump campaign senior adviser Brian Hughes. “With that claim and the damage he’s done through inflation, open borders and weak foreign policy, Biden needs rehearsals with handlers to find some way to explain this mess he’s made of our nation. President Trump is always prepared to present to Americans his record of success and Biden’s weakness and failures.”
The debate will include new rules to avoid the chaos of 2020’s debate stage. There will be no live audience to minimize disruptions, and candidates will have their microphones muted between answers to avoid interruptions. It is one of two debates set to take place before the November election.