Trump Considers Vice Presidential Candidates for 2024 Election

Kristi Noem and Tim Scott on Trump's Shortlist

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has finally revealed who he is eyeing as his potential vice president. In an interview with Fox News, airing on Sunday, the former president revealed that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott are currently on the shortlist to become his running mate in the 2024 election.

Mr Trump went on to say he is also considering Ms Noem – who endorsed Mr Trump in early September – as his potential running mate. “Kristi Noem has been incredible fighting for me,” he said of the South Dakota governor. “She said ‘I’d never run against him because I can’t beat him.’ That was a very nice thing to say.”

Donald Trump's Criteria for Vice President

For Mr Trump, the most important trait he is seeking in a vice presidential nominee is that they are able to step up and handle the presidency in the case of an emergency. “Always, it’s got to be who is going to be a good president. Obviously, you always have to think that because in case of emergency. Things happen, right? No matter who you are, things happen. That’s got to be number one,” Mr Trump said.

Speculation and Denial

Last month, Mr Trump hinted during a Fox News town hall that he had already chosen his pick for vice president – but refused to reveal who it might be. Many names have been floated as potential options, including Vivek Ramaswamy, Rep Elise Stefanik, and his only remaining Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley. However, Mr Trump told Fox News he won’t announce who he plans to run with on the 2024 ticket for “a while”.

In an interview with Ms Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures, Ms Noem denied that Mr Trump has contacted her about being his running mate. “We talk all the time, but we’ve never had that conversation,” she said.