Top Trump surrogates and VP contenders hit airwaves in defense of former president on trial

Donald Trump’s campaign is deploying his top surrogates, including potential vice presidential picks, to span the airwaves in what they are characterizing as a full-fledged media defense of the former president, as he confronts a historic criminal trial in New York City, his advisers told CNN.

Donald Trump’s campaign is deploying his top surrogates, including potential vice presidential picks, to span the airwaves in what they are characterizing as a full-fledged media defense of the former president, as he confronts a historic criminal trial in New York City, his advisers told CNN. In recent days, the Trump campaign has circulated a document of talking points, obtained by CNN, to his allies, as well as directly booked surrogates on television as part of its effort to have the former president’s top allies “blanketing the airwaves,” as one senior Trump adviser described it. Trump has told his advisers that he wants as much media coverage of his court appearances as possible – including having his supporters defend him on TV, sources familiar with the conversations told CNN. The campaign’s strategy of having Trump’s surrogates maximize media coverage isn’t new: It’s the same approach his team used in the aftermath of each of his indictments. A new element playing out behind the scenes, however, is the timing of this media defense campaign. Not only is the proceeding taking place at a time when his team is uncertain of how the trial and the salacious details of the case will play with general election voters, but it also comes as Trump is weighing potential running mates – making this period a tryout of sorts for his vice presidential contenders. Some of Trump’s prospective VP picks are taking their own initiative, without urging from the former president’s campaign, to defend him, according to sources familiar with their tactics.