Trump Campaign to Host VP Candidates, Donors at Fla. Retreat

(AP)

Former President Donald Trump will play host to major Republican donors and potential running mates during a retreat May 3-5 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been stuck in New York the past two weeks because of a criminal trial in which he has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records to cover a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

He will be campaigning outside of New York on a weekday for the first time since the trial started April 15 when he visits Wisconsin and Michigan on May 1. Trump is required to be in court four days a week, with the trial typically adjourning on Wednesdays.

For the retreat, 16 guests have been invited, Politico reported Wednesday, including potential running mates Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, and J.D. Vance of Ohio; Govs. Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Doug Burgum of North Dakota; and Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York, chair of the House Republican Conference, and Byron Donalds of Florida. Trump is listed on the invitation as a special guest.

The invitation-only event is limited to current donors to the Trump campaign. Shortly after Trump became the presumptive GOP nominee last month, his campaign and the Republican National Committee, co-chaired by his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, established a joint fundraising committee that can accept checks up to $814,600 a person, Politico reported. About 400 donors are expected to attend.

The retreat will also feature Trump-aligned Republicans who aren’t on his shortlist for a running mate, Politico reported, including House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, and Reps. Jim Banks of Indiana and Wesley Hunt of Texas. U.S. Senate candidates Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania and Bernie Moreno of Ohio and former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway also are invited, Politico reported, adding additional special guests are forthcoming, according to the invitation.

Those close to Trump said he has not narrowed his list of running mates and is more focused on other matters, such as the New York trial, Politico reported. He might wait until closer to the Republican National Convention from July 15-18 in Milwaukee before he chooses a running mate.