Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee, has officially rejected picking biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy as his running mate but is still considering him for a cabinet post, a source familiar with the conversation confirmed to The Post.
Ramaswamy — who ran against Trump and quickly endorsed him after dropping out following the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses — has been a prominent surrogate for the 45th president on the campaign trail.
The 38-year-old’s proximity to the former president had fueled VP speculation, as Trump, 77, has teased a running mate “short list” but refused to dish the identity of his top choice.
Ramaswamy’s ouster from the veepstakes was first reported by Bloomberg, which identified him as a contender for Homeland Security secretary, among other positions.
“There’s a lot of press speculation, but I can tell you Vivek’s top focus is making sure we get President Trump elected so that we can take America First to the next level,” Ramaswamy spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told The Post in response to the report.
“This country would be lucky to have him serve in the next administration and beyond. In the meantime, Vivek is focused on driving change in the private sector and reforming our economy, including by continuing to push back against the ESG cancer in corporate America.”
The Post reported in January that Ramaswamy was unlikely to be Trump’s running mate.
The two then-rivals had a heated moment before the Iowa caucuses, with Trump accusing the younger contender on Truth Social for being “sly,” having “deceitful campaign tricks” and not being a staunch enough supporter of the “Make America Great Again” movement.
At the time, top Trump adviser Jason Miller told The Post that it’s “pretty safe to say it won’t be Vivek” as VP.
Other possible additions to Trump’s executive team include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and former US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Bloomberg reported.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is reportedly seen as a potential White House chief of staff.
Last month, Trump responded positively during a Fox News town hall when asked whether Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Ramaswamy, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were on a “short list” of potential running mates.
DeSantis ruled out the possibility the following day in a leaked Zoom call first reported by The Post, but the other potential picks have express openness to the possibility.
Last month, Trump responded positively during a Fox News town hall when asked whether Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Ramaswamy, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were on a “short list” of potential running mates.