There has been widespread speculation regarding former President Donald Trump’s potential choice for vice president if he were to secure the Republican nomination for president.
However, unlike President Joe Biden, Trump has not provided a definitive answer on whether he would select a female vice president, although he has expressed his positive views on the idea.
“Mr. President, have you thought about a potential running mate if you were to win the nomination?” NBC “Meet The Press” anchor Kristen Welker said to the former president in an interview on Sunday.
“I like not to think too much about that. You always do a little bit, but I really don’t think it’s time. I want to win. And, you know, it’s very interesting about running mates. When you get down to a vice president, they said, ‘Nobody’s ever made that kind of a difference. It’s still about the person that’s going to be president.’ But it’s an important decision,” he said.
“Are you leaning toward a woman?” the anchor said.
“I like the concept, but we’re going to pick the best person. But I do like the concept, yes,” he said.
“A lot of people noticed when Governor Noem endorsed you, there were Trump/Noem signs. Do you have your eye on her?” the anchor said.
“I do. I think she’s fantastic. She’s been a great governor. She gave me a very full-throated endorsement, a beautiful endorsement, actually. And, you know, it’s been a very good state for me. And certainly, she’d be one of the people I’d consider, or for something else, maybe. But we have a lot of people. We have a lot of great people in the Republican Party,” he said.
Former President Donald Trump received a significant endorsement on Friday night during a rally in South Dakota, as Governor Kristi Noem publicly declared her support for his 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
“Tonight, Mr. President, my message is clear: It is an honor to have you with us in South Dakota,” Noem said in front of a crowd of thousands in Rapid City, home to the Mount Rushmore National Monument. “You made America great again once. Let’s do it again.”
At that, Trump took the stage and briefly embraced the GOP governor as “TRUMP NOEM 2024” briefly flashed on a huge screen above the stage.
“Kristi is a warrior for American values,” Trump said, according to The New York Times.
After praising her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and South Dakota’s quick reopening, Trump remarked, “I get endorsements, some good, some bad. Some don’t mean anything. Hers means a lot.”
It’s worth noting that only eight out of the 26 Republican governors in the country have taken sides in the 2024 presidential race. Alongside Governor Noem, Governors Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, Jim Justice of West Virginia, and Henry McMaster of South Carolina have endorsed Trump. Two others, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, are running against him.
During an interview with Fox News, Governor Noem mentioned that she would “consider” the possibility of becoming Trump’s running mate.
While Governor Noem was once seen as a potential 2024 candidate herself, she clarified earlier this year that she would not run and would instead focus on her state. However, in the months since, she has been increasing her national profile in preparation for the upcoming presidential race and has even sparked discussions about potentially joining Trump’s ticket.
“She’s remained in contact and on good terms with the former president, according to sources familiar with their interactions. Though Noem didn’t attend last month’s first Republican presidential debate, ads touting her state’s low taxes and job openings aired during it and since then on Fox News,” CNN reported.