It’s being reported tonight, via someone with direct knowledge, that Trump contacted Bob Vander Plaats to see if he could send JD Vance in his place.
But Vander Plaats denied it because it’s against their policy:
Per source with direct knowledge: Team Trump reached out to Bob Vander Plaats earlier today and requested to send Senator JD Vance to Friday's event as a surrogate for Trump. Vander Plaats denied the request.
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) July 12, 2023
Vander Plaats texts: "Yes, they did reach out to me and graciously offered JD Vance as a surrogate for President Trump. Our policy has always been to decline surrogates or video presentations for our Summits. The Trump representative accepted and appreciated our rationale."
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) July 12, 2023
It would have been weak for Vance to be interviewed in Trump’s place and I think most people wouldn’t care to hear it because it’s not from the candidate himself. It would have been a bad look for Trump and Plaats’ policy was really to Trump’s benefit since he’s not coming.