She has yet to receive the paperwork.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem clarified on Sunday that she has not undergone formal vetting to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Noem emphasized that while she has discussed the matter with Trump, she has not received any official paperwork regarding the vice presidential selection process. She affirmed that Trump alone will make the decision on his running mate.
Earlier, Noem had suggested that having a woman on the ticket could benefit Trump based on polling data from swing states. However, when asked whether Trump would be making an error by not choosing a woman, she stressed the importance of selecting the most qualified person to enhance his chances of winning.
NBC News recently reported that Trump’s search for a vice presidential candidate has narrowed to focus on three male Republicans: Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Burgum commented that Trump is a strong enough candidate to win the race independently of his vice presidential choice.
Noem, previously considered a leading candidate for Trump’s VP shortlist, faced criticism earlier this year related to a controversial anecdote in her memoir. When questioned about whether this affected her chances, she avoided direct comment, referencing the book’s focus on challenging experiences and tough decisions.
Regarding abortion, where her views differ from Trump’s stance supporting exceptions for rape and incest, Noem defended South Dakota’s strict abortion laws, asserting they align with Trump’s belief in state-level regulation of abortion policies. She also echoed Trump’s approach to considering pardons for January 6 Capitol rioters, advocating for case-by-case evaluations based on Trump’s discretion.
Throughout the interview, Noem reiterated her support for Trump and emphasized her alignment with his policies on various contentious issues, including abortion and criminal justice.
