Trump to join Noem for South Dakota rally amid VP chatter

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. 

The rally will be the first time Trump is in the state since a Fourth of July weekend event at Mount Rushmore in 2020 during his presidency, according to a release from the South Dakota GOP.

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.”

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Trump has long been leading polling of the GOP presidential field.

Still, some speculate the governor could be a potential running mate alongside Trump if he wins the party’s nomination.

Noem said last summer that she’d be “shocked” if Trump asked her to be on the ticket alongside him. She told Fox News that she’d “consider it” if asked to be Trump’s vice presidential pick.