Byron Donalds is all-in for vice president as CPAC attendees urge him forward

NATIONAL HARBOR — Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) has proven to be a rising star in the Republican Party, and the former President Donald Trump-endorser appeared particularly vice presidential as he worked the crowd Thursday at the American Conservative Union’s 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference.

“Make America Florida,” one audience member shouted.

“Oh, we’re gonna,” Donalds, a Florida Republican, shot back.

As the congressman spoke to the Washington Examiner at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, after his speech, he was greeted by several attendees who asked him to be vice president, presumptively on a ticket with Trump.

“You need to be VP,” one woman said, approaching Donalds. “You need to be our VP, please.”

Asked if he would take the role, he quickly said, “Oh, yeah.”

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference at the National Harbor, Feb. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

“I’ve been clear about this when people first started asking me if I would do it. I’d do the job. Because I just want to win,” he said. Donalds added that he wants what is in the best interest of the country and is prepared to participate in a variety of ways.

“I didn’t come into this job to be a wallflower,” he said.

Another woman similarly made her way to the congressman, putting her hand on his face and pleading with him to be vice president. Other men and women greeted him with gratitude as he walked down media row at CPAC.

A steadfast backer of Trump, Donalds explained that he would persist in his support even if Trump is convicted of some criminal charges in his upcoming cases. “Because these cases are bogus,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what these courts say because these courts are in violation of their oath,” the Florida Republican explained.

He further claimed the prosecuting lawyers “should be disbarred for what they’re doing,” slamming the various criminal charges and cases as both “political” and “persecution.”

As for potential financial obstacles for both the Republican National Committee and Trump as they prepare to go up against President Joe Biden’s $140 million war chest in November, Donalds was confident that new leadership at the party would improve fundraising.

“Look, I’m always concerned about fundraising,” he admitted. “But overall, with the RNC, the reason why a lot of people have not wanted to give money is because they were concerned about Republican leadership.”

In likely reference to Trump’s recommendations of North Carolina Republican Chairman Michael Whatley for RNC chairman, Lara Trump for co-chairwoman, and Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita for chief operating officer, Donalds said he expects the party’s fundraising prowess to rebound. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has been speculated to step down from her position following Saturday’s Republican primary in South Carolina.

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When it comes to the staggering $55 million Trump spent in legal fees in 2023, and the additional expenses to be accrued throughout 2024, he accused Biden and Democrats of “abusing the law for their own political purposes.”

He additionally brushed off Trump’s legal expenses, noting, “Any politician, any elected official, they all have legal funds where there is money that comes out of their campaign for their legal bills. Everybody does that. That is nothing out of the ordinary.”