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Congressional firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene wants to be Donald Trump's VP, says Steve Bannon

Marjorie Taylor Greene takes a photo with US House Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy - Getty Images
Marjorie Taylor Greene takes a photo with US House Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy - Getty Images

Marjorie Taylor Greene, the right-wing firebrand congresswoman, is reportedly optimistic she could become Donald Trump's running mate in 2024.

Ms Greene's bombastic style has seen her praised as a "warrior" by the Republican former president, 76, and made her a leading figure of the party's far right.

The 48-year-old is now angling to become Mr Trump's vice-presidential candidate in the 2024 election, according to former senior Trump aide Steve Bannon.

"This is no shrinking violet, she's ambitious - she's not shy about that, nor should she be," Mr Bannon told NBC News.

"She sees herself on the short list for Trump's VP... when [Ms Greene] looks in the mirror she sees a potential president smiling back," he added.

Steve Bannon leaves court in New York in January - Reuters
Steve Bannon leaves court in New York in January - Reuters

The claim was backed up by another source in Mr Trump's orbit, who believes Ms Greene will be on the former president's short list of candidates.

The Georgia congresswoman's "whole vision is to be vice-president", the source, who has also previously advised Ms Greene, told NBC.

Her incendiary remarks and embrace of conspiracy theories gained her a national profile, despite being a relative newcomer to Congress after being elected in 2020.

Many expected her to be a fleeting figure, after her extremist social media posts and controversial comments comparing Covid mandates to the Holocaust earned her widespread rebuke from fellow Republicans and Democrats.

However, her championing of the ultra-Maga (Mr Trump's Make America Great Again) base has made her a key power player in the new Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Her evolution from the ultimate outsider, a regular thorn in the side of her own party's leadership, to her new alliance with the Republican House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, has seen her rewarded with plum committee assignments.

At the heart of Ms Greene's rebranding effort is her ambition to become Mr Trump's running mate, according to key GOP figures.

Ms Greene has presented herself as a vital conduit between Republicans' populist base and the party's leadership, becoming Mr Trump's top acolyte in the House.

She enthusiastically supported Mr McCarthy - who had the backing of Mr Trump - in his bid to become Speaker.

The move brought her into conflict with fellow hardliners who did not believe Mr McCarthy would pursue a sufficiently conservative agenda.

"She's both strategic and disciplined - she made a power move, knowing it would run up hard against her most ardent crew," Mr Bannon told NBC of her decision to back Mr McCarthy.

In return, Ms Greene has been appointed to the Homeland Security and Oversight committees, a major platform to oversee high-profile investigations into Joe Biden's administration and his family's finances.

Nick Dyer, a spokesman for Ms Greene, dismissed speculation over the 2024 presidential race.

The congresswoman was "laser focused" on her Georgia constituents and her committee roles, he said.

That was her "priority", he added, "and people shouldn’t get wrapped up into rumours".

But according to a 2022 book by Robert Draper - “Weapons of Mass Delusion: When the Republican Party Lost Its Mind” - Ms Greene confirmed to the author that she has discussed with Mr Trump the possibility of being his running mate.

Ms Greene said she would be "honoured" but felt the party institutions would not let it happen.

Her new allegiance with the Republican Speaker may be the first step on a much more ambitious career path.