North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), rumored to be on former President Trump’s VP shortlist, declined to say on Sunday whether he’s talked to Trump about serving as his running mate.
“That would be between the president and I,” Burgum said on NBC News’s “Meet the Press” when asked “yes or no” whether he’s had any conversations with Trump about being his pick for vice president.
Burgum stressed there were many candidates worthy of the position when first asked about potential talks on the subject.
“Everything about the process of the Vice President thing, that’s between the campaign and those that might be being considered,” Burgum said when host Kristen Welker first asked whether he’s had any talks with Trump on the matter.
“But I would just say that President Trump, after his strong debate performance on Thursday and where he was going in the polls before that, what this is doing for his fundraising, the strong performance he has, is he’s got so many good choices that he could pick for this job,” Burgum continued.
“He can probably win the election without a vice president… but I think he’ll make a decision,” Burgum said, before getting cut off.
Burgum’s comments come amid heightened speculation over Trump’s selection for vice president. In the interview, Burgum defended Trump on numerous issues and aligned himself with the former president on abortion and on accepting the 2024 election. He says abortion should be up to the states and he’ll accept the results if they’re “free and fair.”
Other possible candidates include Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), among others.