Former president Donald Trump made a curious remark about a potential female running mate, sparking speculation about who would make the fit for Vice President.
Trump said he “likes the concept” of a female running mate as rumors swirl about which woman it could be on his shortlist.
“Are you leaning toward a woman?” NBC’s Kristen Welker asked in a segment of “Meet the Press.”
“I like the concept, but we’re going to pick the best person,” Trump answered.
“But I do like the concept, yes.”
“But I really don’t think it’s time” to seriously consider running mates, he went on. “I want to win.”
The following Republican women have been floated as potential partners if Trump wins the party’s nomination:
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders
former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake
Earlier this month, Noem endorsed Trump at a raucous Rapid City rally.
Trump and Noem’s joint appearance fueled speculation that he is considering the South Dakota Governor as a potential 2024 vice-presidential candidate.
“She’s been a great governor,” Trump said of Noem.
“She gave me a very full-throated endorsement, a beautiful endorsement actually … certainly she’d be one of the people I’d consider, or for something else maybe.”
Last Friday, Noem called Trump “the fighter that our country needs,” adding, “I will do everything I can to help him win and save this country.”
Meanwhile, Kari Lake has been a frequent surrogate for Trump in his primary campaign.
In September, former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii hinted she would consider running for vice president with the eventual GOP nominee.
“I think about it every day,” Gabbard told host Sean Hannity.
While Gabbard remains an independent, in recent years, she has become a formidable critic of President Joe Biden and Democratic elites.
Hannity asked Gabbard if she would accept a spot on either the GOP ticket or what he called “this ‘no-labels’ party that’s out there.”
“I would consider any opportunity to be able to serve my country and make the most positive impact, especially at this time, where our country’s future and our democracy are at risk,” Gabbard replied.
