Byron Donalds will be at the presidential debate, where the GOP VP pick will be, Trump says

As theories swirl about who Donald Trump will pick as his running mate in the 2024 presidential election, Naples Congressman Byron Donalds' name usually comes up ‒ if not on the short list, then at least on the Top 20.

Though Trump has said he'll announce his choice at the Republican convention next month, he's also said that person will be at tonight's presidential debate in Atlanta.

Is Byron Donalds in Atlanta?

All of which begs the question: Will Byron Donalds be there?

He will, a Donalds spokesman confirmed to the Naples Daily News, and his trip to Georgia has included more than the debate.

On Wednesday, Donalds participated in two high-profile events: a Trump campaign-hosted roundtable of Black business leaders that included Ben Carson and Texas Congressman Wesley Hunt, and later that evening, Congress, Cognac and Cigars, described as a conversation about the Black male vote.

So far, Donalds, who's also mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate (Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be term-limited), has been careful when speaking about the veep-stakes, never ruling it out, but not exactly putting up his hand either.

“The speculation is out there," he told a GOP group. "I've not talked to the president about it (but) if he goes, ‘All right, Byron, that's what I want you to do,’ then yeah, all right let's roll. Because you know it's about the country." By "president", he means Trump.

Next up for Byron Donalds: VP? Florida governor? 'Whatever God has for us, we’re here for it'=

Byron Donalds as VP? Factors for and against

Here's how Donalds fared in a USA Today analysis of potential VP picks

PROS: 

• As one of the few Black conservatives in Congress, Donalds would be a historic choice at a time when the GOP is regularly accused of embracing anti-diversity policies.

• Donalds emerged as an influential voice among the House’s more stringent conservative members after twice being nominated as an alternative to Rep. Kevin McCarthy during a fight over the speaker’s seat in January 2023.

• The Florida congressman doesn’t back down from a fight in the face of liberal attacks, which appeals to Trump's political persona. That also could be turned into an asset in a debate joust with Vice President Kamala Harris.

CONS: 

• Donalds represents a Florida district that is roughly 6% Black, creating questions over whether he can deliver minority voters for Trump.

• A two-term congressman, Donalds is more of a show horse known for his TV appearances than legislative heavy lifting. He isn’t in the GOP leadership pipeline, and he didn’t have much leadership experience during his four years as a Florida state legislator, either.

• Donalds and Trump are both from Florida, which means that under the U.S. Constitution one of them would have to move to collect the state’s electoral votes. If Donalds does so, he would have to leave Congress.

Watch the debate live

Tune into the CNN Presidential Debate Thursday, June 27, at 9 pm ET on CNN or simulcast on USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Trump says his future VP will be at the debate. So will Byron Donalds