Fox News contributor Tulsi Gabbard appears to be trying to get selected by disgraced former President Donald Trump as his vice presidential nominee -- and the network that employs her, in apparent violation of its previous standards, is happy to play along.

Gabbard, a former Democrat, is making moves reminiscent of a vice presidential candidate, including writing a book and groveling to Donald Trump Jr. about what “the opportunity and privilege of being able to serve and support President Trump” would mean to her. 

Fox has previously suspended contributors who were possible presidential candidates or vice presidential nominees, such as when Newt Gingrich was rumored to be Trump’s 2016 pick. But for Gabbard, the network not only continues to pay her, but actively promotes her vice presidential speculation.

At the end of a Jesse Watters Primetime appearance, Watters asked Gabbard about the VP rumors. 

“I would be open to that,” she predictably affirmed, to Watters’ “oooh.” “My mission is to serve our country,” she added.

Ahead of one of Gabbard’s recent Fox & Friends appearances, Fox contributor Ben Domenech hyped her as a strong vice presidential pick for Trump, saying Gabbard is ”someone who is more interesting, that can bring in a strong sort of youth vote presence” because she “excites people.” 

“There’s been talk that many in the party would like to see you on the ticket,” co-host Ainsley Earhardt told Gabbard at the end of her interview. And again, Gabbard signaled her interest.

“I’d be honored to serve our country in that way and be in a position to help President Trump actually solve these very, very serious problems,” she said, naming an array of broad topics, including national security and border security. 

“We cannot allow the Democrat elite, the Biden-Harris administration, continue to destroy our rule of law, our Constitution, and our fundamental freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution,” she warned.

Her response invigorated Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade. “Tulsi, I can’t imagine you not being in his cabinet if he does win, let alone running mate.”

On America’s Newsroom, guest and comedian Joe DeVito looked back to the 2020 Democratic primary, in which some observers credited Gabbard for ending Harris’ primary campaign. 

“Who kicked her butt out of there?” DeVito asked. “It was another woman of color, Tulsi Gabbard, someone I think would make a very good vice presidential pick for somebody.”

“You might see that,” replied anchor Dana Perino. “There’s all that — things are afoot.”

When not explicitly asked about becoming Trump’s vice president, Gabbard is sure to make her commentary resonate with key GOP messaging, as a good vice presidential nominee might. 

On The Ingraham Angle, Gabbard cited the killing of Laken Riley as evidence that “Kamala Harris and so many people in the Democrat elite” who have promoted “progressive” prosecutors “are so grossly out of touch with reality.” 

“People are seeing how terrible the Democrat elite are on actually keeping our communities safe,” she told Ingraham.

On a later appearance, after a wave of violence in Haiti prompted the prime minister’s resignation, Gabbard went on The Ingraham Angle to explain it all with an interpretation that was quick to pin it all on Biden. 

Biden’s “inaction” on the violence, she alleged, is “part of this conscious effort to continue their open border policy, letting anyone and everyone illegally come across our borders.” 

“They’re engaging in a criminal enterprise,” Gabbard said, “aiding and abetting many of these human trafficking cartels and other groups” with “ISIS-connected individuals.” Biden’s role, she claimed, “is to run interference” for international criminals and terrorists.

The line between running for office and appearing on Fox News has long been blurred, but why do the network's own apparent standards not apply to Gabbard's vice presidential ambitions?