Although the time for selecting running mates in the 2024 Republican primary is far off in the political primary distance, this did not stopped Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) from stating her colleague Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) would make "an incredible VP" to Donald Trump if he wins reelection.
My friend @ByronDonalds would make an incredible VP.
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) July 16, 2023
Sometime later, Rep. Luna posted a picture of Rep. Donalds and Trump, captioning it "The Donalds 2024."
The Donalds 2024 pic.twitter.com/Xa4Dg0Usem
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) July 17, 2023
Rep. Donalds has been an enthusiastic supporter of Trump's reelection since April when he wrote a glowing statement pledging his support for the former President.
The Floridian Publisher Javier Manjarres last month hinted that he was hearing chatter that Donalds was indeed on the shortlist to be former President Trump's vice presidential pick.
"There is only one leader at this time in our nation’s history who can seize this moment and deliver what we need - to get us back on track, provide strength and resolve, and Make America Great Again. That is why I am honored to endorse President Donald J. Trump for President in 2024, and I ask my fellow Americans to join me today," Rep. Donalds wrote.
Later that month, Donalds reiterated his stance in a CNN interview, saying he was "all in" for Trump.
"I'm all in on Donald J. Trump for 2024:
- Trump was a better POTUS than Biden
- Trump ushered global harmony, not war
- Trump did it once. He can do it again
- Trump is ready to hit the ground running
- Trump will restore economic & national security
- Trump will get America back on track," Rep. Donalds summarized on Twitter.
Donalds later defended Trump's responses in CNN's Town Hall in May, fighting back viciously against the allegations made by Kaitlan Collins and other panelists on January 6th, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, and the 2020 Election.
In January, during the vote for Speaker of the House, there were rumors Trump endorsed Donalds for Speaker of the House over Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Trump denied the rumor in a Truth Social post, yet stated that Donalds "is a young man with a great future" and that "he will have his day, and it will be a big one, but not now."
"I have always supported Byron Donalds, have consistently endorsed him for Congress and, in fact, feel that I was a primary reason he entered politics in the first place. He is a young man with a great future. With that all being said, the story and statement that was just put out that I endorsed Byron for Speaker of the House is fake and fraudulent. He will have his day, and it will be a big one, but not now," said Trump.
It is still too early to tell, but is it possible Rep. Luna's opinion could very well become fact?