Published: 10:18 EDT, September 17, 2023 | Updated: 11:31 EDT, September 17, 2023
Donald Trump, 77, is leaning toward choosing a woman as his running mate in 2024 – but says he doesn’t think it will make much of a “difference” in who he asks to run with him for vice president .
The ex-president said he was considering South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, 51, as vice president.
“I don’t want to think about it too much. You always do a little – but I really don’t think it’s time. “I want to win,” Trump told new host of NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Kristen Welker.
“And, you know, it’s very interesting about the vice president – when it comes to a vice president – they say no one has ever made such a difference.” It’s still about the person who becomes president. It’s an important decision.’
Noem, a rising Republican star, has been involved in a secret affair with Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski for years, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in a Friday report.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem endorsed Donald Trump’s bid for the White House during a rally in her state on September 8
The married South Dakota governor often emphasizes her belief in “family values” – but began an affair with Lewandowski, who is also married, in 2019, multiple sources told DailyMail.com.
News of the relationship threatens to derail Noem’s chances of joining Trump’s ticket for a potential rematch with President Joe Biden.
Trump reportedly has a short list of women he could choose for vice president, including Noem and failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake. Those in Trump’s circle believe his former UN ambassador and current 2024 rival, Nikki Haley, would be the best fit – or perhaps his former White House press secretary and current Arkansas governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Welker noted that Haley’s name hasn’t been bandied about as much lately as she has been more openly critical of Trump since her 2024 primary run against him.
When Welker asked Trump if he was thinking about running for office, he said, “I like the concept, yes.”
“But we will choose the best person,” Trump added, keeping open the possibility of a male vice presidential candidate.
The NBC News anchor noted that 2024 nominee Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is a potential candidate to run. He is the only black Republican in the US Senate.
Gov. Noem endorsed Trump’s third bid for the White House during a rally in her state earlier this month.
“I think she’s fantastic, she’s been a great governor,” Trump said, telling Welker, “Yes, I do,” when asked if he had his eye on her as a potential vice president should he Win nomination for 2024.
Noem’s chances of joining Trump in 2024 may be in jeopardy after DailyMail.com revealed that the married South Dakota governor and former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski, also married, had a years-long affair. The two are pictured above in Ohio in 2020
“She gave me a very clear endorsement — a beautiful endorsement, actually,” the former president said.
“And you know, it was a very good state for me,” he added of Noem’s South Dakota State.
Trump added that he would “absolutely” consider Noem, but also said that even if she wasn’t on the list for vice president, he could place her elsewhere in his administration should he choose a second, non-consecutive one Retained term in the White House.
“We have a lot of great people in the Republican Party,” Trump noted.
With age becoming a major focus in the 2024 campaign, particularly among younger voters, it is likely that Trump could choose someone a few decades younger than him as his candidate.
Noem is 26 years younger than Trump.
