In a surprising revelation, a new book by Politico journalist Alex Isenstadt claims that Donald Trump, during his campaign, considered Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo as his vice-presidential pick.
Isenstadt’s book, Revenge, outlines how Trump, impressed by Bartiromo’s on-air persona and her connections in the financial world, advocated for her as a potential running mate. According to the author, Trump believed Bartiromo’s experience with “big-donor Wall Street types” and her television expertise made her a strong candidate.
“She was great with the big-donor Wall Street types and she knew how to do TV,” Trump reportedly told his team during a flight to Butler, Pennsylvania.
Bartiromo, known for conducting numerous favorable interviews with Trump, was described as a “Trump favorite” at Fox. She had often defended him publicly and even gave his team advance notice of interview questions, including during her first post-election sit-down with him after the 2020 presidential race.
However, Trump’s advisors intervened, highlighting logistical and strategic issues with the choice. They argued there wasn’t enough time to vet Bartiromo properly, a process that had taken months for other VP candidates on the shortlist. Susie Wiles, a key member of Trump’s team, ultimately shut down the idea, CNN reports.
This consideration came before the controversies that later surrounded Bartiromo. Following Trump’s 2020 election loss, Bartiromo amplified baseless claims of voter fraud involving Dominion Voting Systems. These allegations, fueled by dubious sources, became a focal point in a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion against Fox News. The lawsuit concluded with Fox agreeing to a hefty $787 million settlement.
In response to inquiries about Bartiromo’s potential VP candidacy, Trump’s spokesperson did not directly address the claims. Instead, the spokesperson emphasized support for Trump’s eventual running mate, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, calling him “the perfect choice.”
Isenstadt’s book, Revenge, is set to be released in March by Grand Central Publishing, promising further insights into Trump’s decision-making and his inner circle.
