Trump Campaign Focuses on Governor Walz: Research and Strategy Adjustments in Full Swing

The political machinery of former President Donald J. Trump initially focused on Governor Josh Shapiro, the popular Governor of Pennsylvania, who was considered a near-certain running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris. In the past two weeks, the Trump team invested significant resources to uncover potential vulnerabilities against Shapiro. According to three informants with direct insight into the plans, Shapiro was expected to help Harris win the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania – a state that Trump’s Super PAC identified as key to a Democratic victory. Trump’s advisors recognized a potential strategic balance in Shapiro’s moderate image, which could appeal to independent voters who view Harris' liberal past with skepticism. A recent Fox News poll shows that 61 percent of voters in Pennsylvania have a favorable opinion of Shapiro – a rare approval rating in the polarized landscape of American politics. At the same time, the Trump team conducted thorough research on Shapiro’s support for Israel, aiming to incite protests against the Democrats at their convention in Chicago. This strategy intended to exploit tensions within the left wing of the party and promote pro-Palestinian demonstrations. However, recent developments indicated a change in direction. New reports showed that Harris and her team were distancing themselves from Shapiro, primarily due to a progressive campaign against him and a wave of negative news regarding his tenure. The aggressive stance of Senator John Fetterman and other Democrats, who criticized Shapiro's handling of a harassment allegation against a top aide, intensified the pressure. Against this backdrop, Trump’s advisors shifted their focus to Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. Walz is seen as a safer choice to avoid upsetting the left wing of the party. Prompted by the criticism within the Democrats, the Trump team accelerated their investigation into Walz’s background to identify potential weaknesses.