Trump Campaign Plans Retreat in Florida for VP Candidates and Donors

Former President Donald Trump is set to host major Republican donors and potential running mates during a retreat in Palm Beach, Florida from May 3-5.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been tied up in a criminal trial in New York for the past two weeks. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of falsifying business records related to a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

On May 1, Trump will campaign outside of New York for the first time since the trial began on April 15. He is required to be in court four days a week, with the trial typically adjourning on Wednesdays.

According to Politico, 16 guests have been invited to the retreat, including potential running mates such as Sens. Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, and J.D. Vance; Govs. Kristi Noem and Doug Burgum; and Reps. Elise Stefanik and Byron Donalds. Trump is listed as a special guest on the invitation.

The invitation-only event is limited to current donors to the Trump campaign. After Trump became the presumptive GOP nominee, his campaign and the Republican National Committee established a joint fundraising committee that can accept substantial donations. About 400 donors are expected to attend.

The retreat will also include Trump-aligned Republicans who are not on the running mate shortlist, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sens. Rick Scott and Marsha Blackburn, and Reps. Jim Banks and Wesley Hunt. U.S. Senate candidates Dave McCormick and Bernie Moreno, as well as former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, are also invited.

Close sources to Trump suggest that he has not yet narrowed down his list of running mates and is more focused on other priorities, including the New York trial. He may wait until closer to the Republican National Convention in July before making a final decision.