Former President Donald Trump will be heading to South Dakota in September as part of a state GOP event called the Monumental Leaders Rally.
Related: Trump South Dakota Rally Details
Appearing alongside Trump will be South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a lineup that has since created some speculation of Noem as a possible vice presidential contender in 2024. Noem is not running for president and has remained largely faithful to Trump in terms of support over the past few years.
According to The Hill, Noem has been on the record stating quite plainly that with Trump in the presidential race for 2024, it’s a non-starter for anyone else to compete:
Former President Trump is set to join South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) in the Mount Rushmore State for a rally amid chatter the governor could be a potential running mate for the former president if he wins the GOP nomination.
Trump will take part in the South Dakota Republican Party’s “Monumental Leaders Rally” in Rapid City on Sept. 8, with Noem slated as the event’s special guest.
Noem, who won reelection to her South Dakota seat during the midterms with Trump’s endorsement, had been among a handful of Republican governors floated as possible 2024 presidential contenders for the Republican nomination.
But Noem earlier this month doubled down on her decision to not jump in the race amid her second term as South Dakota’s governor.
“The fact is, none of them can win as long as Trump’s in the race. And that’s just the facts. So why run if you can’t win?” Noem said in an interview on Fox News’s “Fox and Friends.”
Noem is correct and stated the obvious along the lines of what Megyn Kelly said last fall about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, that the only way to win is to not play.
Noem understands that and would rather run for governor again than waste her time running against Trump. Call it reading the political tea leaves or an overt play of loyalty, either way, it leaves Noem in the position as a possible VP contender.
When pressed weeks ago about the possibility, Noem said she was focused on her own race, but would certainly consider it, according to Fox News:
South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem said Thursday she would, if asked, consider becoming former President Donald Trump’s running mate in 2024.
Noem told Fox News that anyone asked to be the potential next vice president should seriously consider offering such a service to their country.
“This is a different question. And I will tell you that, of course, I would consider it,” she said.
“Our country is breaking right in front of our very eyes today, and everybody should be a part of putting it back on its foundation. And if President Trump is going to be back in the White House, I’d do all I can to help him be successful.”
There’s a lot of time between now and when Trump will select and unveil a vice president. The decision likely won’t come down until well into the spring or possibly into the summer of 2024 before the GOP convention in Milwaukee.
Until that time, VP speculation will continue unabated.
Visit the Trump rally and events schedule for details on the upcoming Sept. 8 event in South Dakota and for ticketing info.
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