Former President Donald Trump is attending the Republican National Committee’s spring retreat in Florida, where he will mingle with potential vice presidential contenders and wealthy donors in an effort to catch up to the fundraising efforts of the Biden campaign. The retreat began with a welcome reception attended by top GOP donors and party leaders, including Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
This year’s event includes special guests who are being considered as Trump’s running mate, such as Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. Other notable guests include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Byron Donalds, and House GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who recently faced controversy over a passage in her upcoming book, will also be in attendance.
While it is unclear whether Trump will hold one-on-one meetings with his VP contenders during the retreat, the event provides an opportunity for potential picks to interact with Trump and make their case. His senior advisers state that he is not expected to announce his running mate soon, with the official decision likely to be made closer to the Republican National Convention in July. Trump mentioned in a recent interview that the decision will be made closer to the “Wisconsin time.”
In addition to the retreat, Trump is planning to attend the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, where he was originally scheduled to host a fundraiser. However, the event organizers sent a cease-and-desist letter to his friend Steve Witkoff last month, preventing him from using a suite at the Formula One race for fundraising purposes. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s attendance at the retreat is notable, as it comes ahead of a critical vote to strip him of his speaker’s gavel.
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her plans to force a vote on Johnson’s removal when Congress returns to session, a move that reflects the ongoing intra-party feuding within the GOP. Trump has privately expressed annoyance with the situation, viewing it as a distraction that is harming the party’s image. He has sent RNC Chairman Michael Whatley to convey his desire for party unity and met with Greene to urge her to stop the drama.
Despite the tensions within the party, Johnson has relied on his relationship with Trump to show solidarity and support. Trump praised Johnson during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, acknowledging the challenges the speaker faces in Congress. The former president has emphasized the need for unity within the GOP as they prepare for the upcoming elections.
