Donald Trump is doing his damnedest to turn his Supreme Court nomination into a job he’s more comfortable with than the presidency: reality TV host. Trump gave himself a Monday deadline for the announcement, but said he would decide by Sunday. Then he pushed back his actual decision to Monday. While he presumably won’t line up his candidates Bachelor-style and make the pick on live television, his process seems to be moving in that direction.
Mr. Trump, while an incorrigible gossip, can be effective at keeping a secret when he chooses to, and he loves the drama surrounding an important nomination. Over the past three days, he has stoked uncertainty among even his closest aides by asking lots of questions but offering little in return, according to those who have spoken with him.
Will it be Judge Thomas Hardiman, the runner-up to Neil Gorsuch, whose personal story of working his way through to be the first college graduate in his family Trump finds appealing? Or will Judge Amy Coney Barrett prevail despite some urging Trump to hold her in reserve to have a woman to nominate should Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg leave the court? Is the fact that Judge Brett Kavanaugh worked for George W. Bush going to tank his prospects with Trump? Judge Raymond Kethledge appears to be out of the running, whether because Trump finds him personally dull or because he’s seen as not anti-immigrant enough … but can he make a comeback?
Tune in Monday night to find out!