Democrats launch ‘MAGA Veepstakes’ to target extreme views of Trump’s running mate hopefuls

The Democratic National Committee has launched a campaign to target the “desperate race to the bottom” to become Donald Trump’s running mate.

The DNC’s “Trump’s MAGA Veepstakes” will highlight the Republican vice presidential hopefuls’ anti-abortion views, election lies, and support for gutting healthcare and Social Security.

“Like any narcissist, Donald Trump will choose a VP in his image: an extreme, anti-choice MAGA election denier who wants to rip away Americans’ freedoms and sell out working families to help their special interest donors,” DNC communications director Rosemary Boeglin said in a statement shared with The Independent.

“Trump has floated dozens of names, and while he trots them around like sad show ponies on the campaign trail, it doesn’t really matter who’s in his good graces one day and who’s shooting their dog the next.

“Trump’s VP contenders have all already shown they pass his extreme, MAGA litmus test.”

The campaign, first reported by Axios, will shape Democratic messaging during President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, which has broadened its scope to warn against the Republican party’s growing far-right antidemocratic agenda and Mr Trump’s dominance across US politics.

The “MAGA Veepstakes” campaign will reach across social media, in rapid response messaging and in candidates’ remarks, advertisements and debates, a DNC official told The Independent.

Democrats will hammer Mr Trump’s shortlist of running mates, which is “chock full of anti-abortion extremists who are in lockstep with Trump’s cruel anti-choice agenda to rip away women’s freedoms,” according to the DNC.

The campaign also will target the party’s “extreme election denialism” and Mr Trump’s bogus narrative that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

Democrats will also focus on potential running mates who have vowed to gut the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, as well as Medicare and Social Security, and the GOP’s “yearslong records of threatening seniors’ pocketbooks.”

The campaign will also zoom in on candidates’ support for Trump-backed tax cuts.

democrats launch ‘maga veepstakes’ to target extreme views of trump’s running mate hopefuls

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem hugs Donald Trump at a campaign rally in September 2023. (REUTERS)

Mr Trump has not yet unveiled a running mate but hasn’t turned away praise from a parade of loyalists who appear to be vying for the spot.

A string of hopefuls have been putting in an appearance at his hush money trial in New York, acting as his surrogates to rail against the case and the judge.

Vice President Kamala Harris has already accepted an invitation from CBS to debate Mr Trump’s running mate on the network on either July 23 or August 13.

But Mr Trump wants it on Fox News.

“The DNC and their media defenders will stop at nothing to gaslight the American people into believing their lies and forgetting their disastrous record,” Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.

OTHER NEWS

23 minutes ago

Benoot's candid assessment: "Van Aert not at last year's level, Visma | LAB does not dare to bet money on Vingegaard"

23 minutes ago

Daniel Lismore arrives at the V and A summer party

23 minutes ago

Mets Morning News for June 23, 2024

24 minutes ago

The late 'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek will be honored with a U.S. postage stamp

26 minutes ago

Researchers 'crack the code' for quelling electromagnetic interference

26 minutes ago

Kraken-Canucks Set To Kick Off 2024-25 Pre-Season Slate

26 minutes ago

Washington Commanders: Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Was Outbid By Josh Harris For Ownership, Per Report

26 minutes ago

NASCAR race today: Live updates for USA TODAY 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

26 minutes ago

UAE: FTA urges taxpayers to register to avoid penalty

26 minutes ago

Nostalgic for your turbulent youth? Read this novel and you won’t be

26 minutes ago

Phil Foden escapes England’s Euro 2024 criticism – by going fishing

26 minutes ago

Jake White’s bizarre claim about URC final referee that dates back to 2022

26 minutes ago

England confirm replacement for suspended Charlie Ewels ahead of All Blacks series

26 minutes ago

Starmer tells private special school to keep costs down to cope with his VAT plan

26 minutes ago

Inside the clinic where men get their genitals plumped for $15,000, in a procedure that's not FDA approved

26 minutes ago

I'm a collectibles expert - here are the 1980s toys from your childhood that are now worth a fortune

26 minutes ago

We took a road trip to Iraq via 21 countries - and ended up staying longer than expected...

26 minutes ago

My son died of a heroin overdose- here's what I wish I knew and how you can save your own child

26 minutes ago

I'm a scientist who believes plants are CONSCIOUS - here are signs that prove they have intelligence

26 minutes ago

Video: Let him play the final! Fans demand viral German saxophone man is allowed to perform at the Euro 2024 final after videos of him delighting fans goes viral

26 minutes ago

Video: Watch as Ryan Garcia tries his hand at STAND-UP COMEDY with excruciating routine following his doping ban

26 minutes ago

Video: Harry Kane hits back at Gary Lineker and Co for their criticism of England after dire Denmark draw and calls for ex-players turned pundits to 'remember what it was like to wear the shirt'

28 minutes ago

Alex Lees and Ollie Robinson hit hundreds as Durham batters dominate at Essex

28 minutes ago

Armed militants in Dagestan kill priest and police in attacks on churches, synagogue and police post

28 minutes ago

More than 1,300 pilgrims died during the Hajj this year amid scorching heat, Saudi health minister says

31 minutes ago

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert could have a breakout season under new OC Kellen Moore

31 minutes ago

Sister reveals how her brother's ex-girlfriend is getting his $250,000 life insurance payout - in heartbreaking cautionary tale which should serve as a warning to ALL Americans

31 minutes ago

REVEALED: The huge stock purchase this year by Warren Buffett that didn't show up in his portfolio

33 minutes ago

Russia accuses Ukraine of deadly drone attacks in Crimea's Sevastopol

33 minutes ago

Six stars who quit Midsomer Murders and why - from health concerns to show complaints

34 minutes ago

Opinion: Sorry, James Carville, but Joe Biden is the best bet to beat Trump

34 minutes ago

Pressure on Proteas after England smash United States to reach T20 World Cup semi-finals

34 minutes ago

Switzerland vs Germany LIVE! Euro 2024 match stream, latest score and goal updates today

34 minutes ago

Suns still unsure about King as Magpies await

34 minutes ago

Pearson gearing up for busy summer season

34 minutes ago

The Boys May Finally Get a Supernatural Reunion Going

34 minutes ago

Graham: Senate colleagues trying to ‘destroy’ conservative Supreme Court justices with ethics reform

35 minutes ago

Jordan grabs hat-trick to set England up for a place in T20 semi-finals

35 minutes ago

Geylang International women’s team end Lion City Sailors’ unbeaten run of over two years

37 minutes ago

Election campaign day 32: Fresh betting blow for Tories