In 2000, Donald Trump explored a run for the presidency as a Reform Party candidate, an idea planted in his head by Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura. Jesse Ventura: Do you think Trump would consider me for VP?

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura says he thinks Donald Trump is the best choice for the GOP and he would consider registering as a Republican to be his vice president.

“I shocked my staff today. I came in and said, ‘You know what, as far as the Republicans are concerned, I said I hope Trump wins,’” Ventura said. “Now I’m not a Republican — I’m not a Democrat either — so ultimately, I’d like somebody else to win overall.”


Ventura was speaking with former Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone on his show “ Off the Grid” Tuesday.

Stone is making the rounds after a very public split over the weekend with the Trump campaign. The campaign said he was fired, Stone maintains he resigned but still supports the real estate mogul.

“I decided to go rogue. I still support Donald Trump, very strongly, even though we have some disagreements on issues. On the No. 1 issue: cleaning up the special interest corruption of our government, I agree with him,” Stone said about his split. “People are ready for blunt talk. They don’t want these politicians that are scripted or that are handled, or practiced, or coached. This is why you were successful, in Minnesota,” Stone said.

Ventura asked him who he thought should be Trump’s vice president.

Dr. Ben Carson is the only non-career politician and a straight talker, Stone said, calling a Trump-Carson ticket “very strong.”

But Ventura didn’t want to be left out of the mix.

“That throws me out of the equation because I’m a former governor. Do you think Donald would ever think of asking me?” Ventura asked.

Stone responded that Ventura — who is an independent — would have to register as a Republican.

“Well, it would depend if it were Donald, because he doesn’t look like a registered Republican to me either,” Ventura said.

Trump continues to lead in the polls despite a tumultuous weekend after he repeatedly verbally attacked Fox News host Megyn Kelly. On Monday, he took flak from conservative Republicans for his comments about Planned Parenthood funding, which put him more in line with many Democrats.

He has not ruled out a third-party bid for the White House.