North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum spoke at a rally of Donald Trump supporters, fueling speculation about potential vice presidential candidates for the former president. Burgum, who was a former opponent of Trump in the Republican primary, praised Trump and criticized President Joe Biden at the New Jersey event. Trump reciprocated the praise, calling Burgum “incredible” and hinting at something to come. Trump has not yet announced his VP pick and is unlikely to do so before the Republican National Convention in July.
Other potential vice presidential contenders have also been making appearances at Trump’s rallies, including Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Elise Stefanik, and Kristi Noem. Some candidates have avoided committing to accepting the results of the 2024 election, with Scott and Stefanik dodging questions on the topic. Burgum has also sidestepped questions about Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. The competition among potential VP picks for Trump is heating up, with candidates promoting themselves at events and interviews.
Biden, during a fundraiser in Washington state, criticized politicians “auditioning” to be Trump’s running mate for their unwillingness to accept election results. Biden’s campaign spokesperson denounced Republicans vying to be Trump’s running mate as having to swear allegiance to Trump’s election lies and agenda. Trump’s rally in New Jersey, despite the state not being a battleground, hinted at his campaign officially playing in the state. Trump has held recent campaign events in key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, both of which he won in 2016 before losing to Biden in 2020.
The New Jersey rally came amid a pivotal week of witness testimony in Trump’s hush money trial in Manhattan. The trial relates to charges of falsifying business records to cover up payments to Stormy Daniels. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case, with Daniels testifying and former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen expected to take the stand. Trump’s comments at the rally in New Jersey highlighted his intentions to continue campaigning in various states ahead of the 2024 election. The competition among potential vice presidential candidates for Trump’s team continues to unfold at various events and rallies across the country.
