Trump’s VP candidates gather in Atlanta for CNN debate watch party

Several of former President Donald Trump‘s potential running mates are set to attend a watch party for the June 27 CNN debate hosted by former Georgia Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler and her billionaire husband, Jeff Sprecher.

According to a copy of the watch party invitation obtained by the Washington Examiner, the following rumored vice presidential candidates will be in attendance: Dr. Ben Carson, former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development under Trump, Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and J.D. Vance (R-OH), and Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Byron Donalds (R-FL), and Wesley Hunt (R-TX).

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) are also part of the special guests who will attend the watch party, although they are not considered to be running mate contenders.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), another top vice presidential pick, will attend the debate against President Joe Biden in Atlanta as a guest of Trump, a Scott spokesperson confirmed to the Washington Examiner.

According to the invitation, $25,000 given or raised will result in a couple receiving preferred dinner seating with the vice presidential contenders, while $10,000 given or raised will result in a couple gaining watch party dinner seating. The event is also open to those who have given $100,000 to the Trump 47 Committee.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley and Co-chairwoman Lara Trump are also helping to host the watch party in Atlanta, with Donald Trump potentially giving post-debate remarks.

The running mate surrogates have consistently supported Donald Trump on the campaign trail, at various town halls, and during his New York hush money trial. The former president has said he won’t announce his vice presidential pick until the RNC convention in July, but his team has sent detailed questionnaires to the contenders, suggesting the list is being winnowed.

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The June 27 debate is the first time Donald Trump and Biden will face off onstage this presidential cycle. CNN announced that the former president would get the final word of the debate after a coin toss allowed Biden’s campaign to select the right podium position. The Trump campaign then selected the former president to give the last closing statement of the debate.

The 90-hour debate will be hosted by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, with two commercial breaks. It will be the first presidential debate in U.S. history featuring an incumbent and former president.