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| Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, right, after he received Abbott's endorsement at the South Texas International Airport Sunday. |
Donald Trump Confirms Greg Abbott VP Consideration
Amidst the backdrop of the Texas-Mexico boundary, Donald Trump articulated on Thursday that Governor Greg Abbott firmly resides on his list of vice presidential prospects for the impending 2024 contest.
Collocated with Abbott for an appearance on Fox News, the one-time Oval Office holder fielded queries from anchor Sean Hannity about the governor's potential candidacy. "A spectacular man," Trump lauded, recalling the endorsement received from Abbott the preceding year with a sense of honor.
"And he’s done a great job," Trump continued. "Certainly, someone I would very much consider."
"So he's on the list?" probed Hannity.
"Absolutely, he is," Trump affirmed, while Abbott stood by.
The dialogue with Hannity proceeded, unveiling Senator Tim Scott as another contemplated candidate. Trump extolled the South Carolina senator as an "unbelievable" supporter, having previously stood as a primary contender against him.
The rapport between Abbott and Trump has not always been marked by such camaraderie; compared to others like Dan Patrick, Texas's Lieutenant Governor and past chair of Trump's Texas campaign, Abbott's support appeared more restrained.
Yet, there have been instances of frustration expressed by Trump's circle towards Abbott, spotlighted by a post on Truth Social questioning the governor's silence on the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, a staunch Trump advocate in the state.
Nevertheless, during pivotal electoral periods, Abbott and Trump have realigned. The former president issued an early, vital endorsement for Abbott’s primary in 2022, and Abbott was seen at a Trump gathering near Houston preceding the decisive primary win.
Abbott's stringent border measures have garnered national focus. Persisting with Trump's historic wall initiative, the governor has poured state finances into the construction of barriers and the rigorous policing of the boundary, mobilizing state forces and busing migrants to Democrat-led metropolises. A conspicuous move included impeding federal patrol access at the Rio Grande.
On the day in question, at the previously mentioned park, Trump extolled Abbott for his border administration actions, underscoring the distinction from President Joe Biden’s approach. Abbott’s wire deployment along the Rio Grande and the detention of illegal crossers earned Trump’s approbation.
Abbott's and Trump's day was primarily spent dissecting border security strategy in Eagle Pass, with Trump afterward commending Abbott's comprehensive operation.
At juncture, Trump hinted at the intra-Senate competition for McConnell's successor. Despite Abbott's absence in the Senate, Trump jestingly nominated him, eliciting Abbott's preference to remain Texas's governor – an ambition Trump supported.
While Trump voiced his advocacy, Democrats sharply criticized Abbott's border stance as demagoguery, squandering resources on endeavors that devalue migrants.
Simultaneously, as Trump traversed the border, Biden, stationed at Brownsville, urged cooperation in legislating border security – challenging Trump to pivot from obstruction to collaboration on bipartisan efforts.