New RNC amendment could lead Trump to announce VP at the last minute

A proposed amendment to the Republican National Convention rules could allow presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump to wait until the last minute before announcing his vice president.

The amended rule book, viewed by The Post, deletes the former rule requiring a set number of delegates to declare their support of the presumptive nominee and VP pick “not later than an hour prior” to placing the names up for nomination.

The new rule now allows the delegates to submit the names “prior” — meaning Trump could leave Republicans in suspense until the final moment.

Trump adviser Chris LaCivita told The Post that “it’s wrong” that the VP pick could be announced later, without elaborating why.

The former president has made conflicting remarks on when he will announce his running mate, saying he could publicize his pick at the convention running July 15-17, or before.

“Probably a little before the convention, but not much,” Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Monday. “It could even be during the convention that we’re doing it. I’d love to do it during the convention, I think it would be a very interesting buildup and important for the convention.”

Trump’s speaking schedule at the convention has yet to be released, but the new rule has some Republicans speculating he will wait until Wednesday to announce his running mate.

“From a clever, under-the-radar change in the party rules to past practice to Biden’s prime-time TV interview and the all-star baseball game, all signs point to Wednesday being the day when the running mate is announced,” Republican strategist Dennis Lennox said, referring to Biden’s interview scheduled for Monday night and the baseball game set for Tuesday.

“While President Trump can announce his pick whenever he wants, it seems like the third day of convention is the day (that) would maximize interest and eyeballs,” Lennox added.

Another GOP strategist agreed with the Wednesday prediction.

“Wednesday night. They just changed the rules so he can nominate as late as possible,” the strategist told The Post.

Another sign that points to Wednesday is that Donald Trump Jr. is slated to speak at the convention Wednesday before Trump’s VP takes the stage, Axios reported. The younger Trump has pushed hard for Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), who is reportedly at the top of Trump’s list, to be the nominee.

But the Trump campaign has long insisted that Trump could make his announcement at any time. He could declare his running mate on Saturday at his Pennsylvania rally or take to Truth Social on any day.

There are no plans for Vance to be at the Pennsylvania rally as of publication. It’s unclear if North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who Trump insiders say has a big chance at being chosen, will be at the rally.

Trump adviser Jason Miller had previously said Trump would make his decision public before Monday.