The president joined South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem at a sold-out rally on Friday
Trump’s event with Kristi Noem fuels speculation about VP 2024
Former President Donald Trump has secured another important endorsement from President Biden in his quest to retake the White House next year.
Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has thrown her considerable national identity behind Trump, saying she offers her “full and complete endorsement of the president of the United States of America.”
“I will do everything I can to help him win and save this country,” Noem announced Friday evening, introducing Trump at a political event in Rapid City, South Dakota. “Ladies and Gentlemen, Donald J. Trump, 45th and 47th President of the United States.”
The collaboration between the two politicians has led to speculation that Trump, who currently has a commanding lead in the race for the GOP presidential nomination, could consider Noem as a potential running mate. The speculation has grown especially since Noem’s endorsement appeared to spell the end of her own presidential ambitions for 2024.
However, during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” on Thursday, Noem said she and Trump “didn’t discuss it at all” when asked about the possibility of her being his vice presidential pick.
Later that same Thursday in an interview with Fox News Digital, when asked if teaming up with Trump could be interpreted as a potential audition for the role of vice president, Noem responded, “I don’t think so.”
However, Noem is not completely closing the door on the possibility.
“Yeah, I’d have to consider it,” the governor stated when asked how she would respond if offered the vice presidential role. “I think everybody would have to consider it if they were asked that question. It’s such an important time in our history where we see constitutional freedoms being undermined by leaders across this country almost every day.”
Once on the stage, Trump praised Noem, hailing her as “one of the most successful governors in the entire nation.”
He also emphasized, “Kristi, I’m truly honored to receive your endorsement.”
Last year, Noem contemplated a 2024 White House run of her own. However, in recent months, she has made it clear that she believes Trump is the unbeatable choice for the GOP nomination, emphasizing that “he’s the one that can win.”
“I feel very confident that President Trump will win the Republican nomination for president,” she told Fox News Digital. “His running track record is clear and people understand what to expect from him. These other candidates in the race may be good people, but their track records may not be as impressive.”
Noem joins a group of Republican governors who have endorsed Trump ahead of the primaries and caucuses, including South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Moreover, she represents the latest high-profile endorsement Trump has received from recent legal challenges, including his fourth indictment on criminal charges. He surrendered to the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta last month in connection with efforts to tamper with the state’s 2020 election results.