Trump narrows VP search to just SEVEN candidates as vetting papers are sent out to potential running mates – here’s who makes the list and when he will announce his pick

Donald TrumpThe US campaign has begun soliciting information from potential vice presidential candidates, sources close to the convicted conservative say.

Among those who have received requests are North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida‘S Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and that of South Carolina Tim Scottsaid one person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the outreach efforts.

Byron Donalds of Florida, Elise Stefanik of New York, and Trump’s 2016 rival Ben Carson would also be on the list — a group of seven who will be vetted after filling out the forms, two others said.

The paperwork sent to each candidate reportedly varies, one of the sources said, because representatives for each of the rumored candidates did not respond to requests for comment.

Aides, meanwhile, have warned that Trump’s list is not concrete and constantly evolving — and that the decision will ultimately be up to him.

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has begun soliciting information from his potential vice presidential candidates, sources close to his campaign have revealed. The politician speaks to reporters on Wednesday – the day the alleged list was leaked

Among those who have received requests are some of Trump’s former rivals, including Marco Rubio and Ben Carson. Both lost to Trump in 2016 but have since made up. Carson, for example, was a member of the then-president’s Cabinet but has since kept his distance

“Anyone who claims to know who or when President Trump will choose his vice president is lying,” Trump campaign spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement.

He quickly added: ‘[U]unless the person’s name is Donald J. Trump.”

The news – first reported by NBC – comes a week after Trump was found guilty by a Manhattan jury of 34 charges of falsifying company records in a criminal hush money lawsuitfor which he will be sentenced next month.

Trump has shown reluctance to announce a running mate in recent months, following his infamous feud with former right-hand man Mike Pence following the January 6 insurrection.

He has said he may wait until the upcoming Republican National Convention to unveil the right person, which would be in July.

In the meantime, the other spot on the GOP ticket remains largely unknown, fueling speculation.

In an appearance on Newsmax last time, Trump named Scott, Burgum, Rubio, Vance and Carson as among the warring parties.

While NBC was the first to report the development, ABC was the one to initially report on the list, which carried additional names such as Stefanik and Burgum.

Elise Stefanik and JD Vance were also sent audit forms, both of whom have steadily risen in the GOP ranks in recent years.

Senator Tim Scott is also reportedly being considered after he also lost to Trump in the primaries late last year

The alleged list, first reported by ABC, is completed by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Florida Representative Byron Donalds. Burgum also recently dropped out of the Republican race, while Donalds threw in the towel late last year in his quest to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Stefanik, along with figures like Vance and Donalds, have been steadily rising through the ranks of the Republican Party for years, each aligning themselves with the potential president.

This is a development story; check back for updates.