Noem’s expected to endorse Trump on Friday; tells Fox News ‘I’d have to consider it if Trump were to ask her to serve as his running mate in 2024
Friday’s rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, is officially billed as a fundraiser for the South Dakota GOP. However, this has more important implications. Former President Donald Trump, the current front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, headlined the sold-out political event.
Gov. Kristi Noem, a staunch Trump supporter and ally, will share the stage with him and is expected to formally endorse the former president. Equally notable is the speculation stemming from the joint appearance of these two politicians, suggesting that Trump may be considering Governor Noem as a potential running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
At a rally in South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem is expected to endorse Donald Trump
Regarding the speculation, Governor Noem stated on “Fox and Friends” that there was no discussion on the matter.
In an interview with Fox News Digital on Thursday, when asked if she viewed her pairing with Trump as a potential audition for the role of running mate, Gov. Noem responded, “I don’t believe so.” However, she said, “Yeah, I’ll have to consider that,” leaving the door open to the possibility. She stressed that anyone who presents such a question should weigh the decision carefully.
Governor Noem also emphasized the difficult nature of the current political climate, saying, “This is a critical moment in our history where we see constitutional liberties eroded by leaders across this country almost every day. We must all step up and do everything in our power to protect our freedoms, our values, and the traditional American way of life. Make sure everything is done.”
Governor Noem pondered a potential White House run in 2024 last year. However, in recent months, she has become confident that Donald Trump has the lead for the GOP nomination and is virtually unbeatable. “He can win,” she insisted.
In her conversation with Fox News Digital, she expressed confidence in Trump’s candidacy, saying, “I am very confident that President Trump will be the Republican nominee for president.” She highlighted Trump’s strong track record and the fact that people know what to expect from him. She compared Trump’s record to other Republican candidates, insisting that while they are good people, their records don’t match.
Gov. Noem Trump emphasized the dedication, saying, “The guy shows up.” All of the other Republican presidential contenders were invited to the South Dakota GOP gala, but many of them had conflicting commitments or focused their efforts entirely on Iowa and New Hampshire, she noted. She praised Trump for being inclusive, saying “Everybody matters to everybody.”
Governor Noem took a critical stance toward Donald Trump’s rivals for the GOP nomination, arguing that history cannot be rewritten and that it is essential to examine the records of everyone on the stage. She appeared to lash out at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is currently trailing Trump in the 2024 primary.
She pointed out that some candidates on stage have implemented business and state shutdowns during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as closing beaches. This can be seen in contrast to her own policy in South Dakota, where she kept the state open during the global pandemic in 2020.
Notably, South Dakota’s two Republican senators, John Thune and Mike Rounds, have already endorsed Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina for the GOP nomination. It’s also worth mentioning that no member of the state’s all-Republican congressional delegation attended the state party event.
While Governor Noem has not officially endorsed any candidate in the 2024 White House race, she strongly hinted that a formal endorsement of Donald Trump is coming at Friday’s meeting.
“I’ve said publicly that I’m a candidate I support. So, tomorrow, we’ll have some conversations at the rally that I think everyone will find interesting.” Governor Noem expressed his belief that Trump is arguably the best choice for the Republican Party, especially given his willingness to fight for what matters.
Multiple sources have confirmed that Noem is likely to officially endorse Trump at an event in Rapid City.
A source close to Governor Noem’s political circle told Fox News that she would be “a fantastic addition to the Trump ticket,” suggesting she could make a strong running mate for the former president.
However, Trump’s political team has indicated that he is not yet actively involved in the process of selecting a running mate. His focus appears to be primarily on the ongoing race for the GOP nomination and legal challenges stemming from his four convictions.
Notably, before the first Republican nomination debate last month, Trump took to social media to comment on the debate, saying, “Let them debate so I can see who I can consider for vice president!” Although he is yet to make a decision, it suggests he is keeping an eye on potential candidates for the vice-presidential role.