Trump hints he might pick a woman as his 2024 running mate and specifically called-out South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem

Donald Trump, 77, is leaning toward choosing a woman as his running mate in 2024, but says he doesn’t think it will make much “difference” in who he asks to serve as vice president with him.

The ex-president said he is considering 51-year-old South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as his running mate.

‘I’d rather not think about that too much. You always do a little, but I really don’t think it’s time. I want to win,” Trump told NBC News’ new Meet the Press host Kristen Welker.

‘And you know, it’s very interesting to be running mates. When you talk about a vice president, they say no one has ever made such a difference. It’s still about the person who will become president. It’s an important decision.’

Noem, a rising Republican star, has been embroiled in a clandestine affair with Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski for years, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in a Friday report.

The married governor of South Dakota often emphasizes her belief in “family values” — but began an affair with Lewandowski, who is also married, in 2019, if not earlier, multiple sources told DailyMail.com.

News of the relationship threatens to ruin Noem’s chances of joining Trump in a possible rematch with President Joe Biden.

Reports suggest Trump has a short list of women he could choose as vice president, including Noem and failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake. Those within Trump’s inner circle think his former U.N. ambassador and now 2024 rival Nikki Haley would be the best match — or perhaps his former White House press secretary and now Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Welker noted that Haley’s name hasn’t been mentioned as much lately since she has become more openly critical of Trump since launching her primary bid for the presidency against him in 2024.

When Welker asked Trump if he was considering a female running mate, he said, “I like the concept, yes.”

“But we’re going to pick the best person,” Trump added, keeping the door open to the possibility of a male vice presidential candidate.

The NBC News anchor noted that 2024 hopeful Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is a potential running mate. He is the only black Republican in the US Senate.

Gov. Noem endorsed Trump’s third bid for the White House at a meeting earlier this month in her state.

“I think she’s great, she’s been a great governor,” Trump said, telling Welker, “I do too,” when asked if he had her eye on her as a potential running mate if he wins the nomination. 2024 would win.

“She gave me a very resounding statement of support – a wonderful statement of support, actually,” the former president said.

“And you know, it’s been a really good state for me,” he added of Noem’s state of South Dakota.

Trump added that he would “certainly” consider Noem, but said that even if she is not slated for vice president, he could also place her elsewhere in his administration if he seeks a second, non-consecutive term would deserve the White House. .

“We have a lot of great people in the Republican Party,” Trump noted.

With age becoming a major concern in the 2024 race, especially among younger voters, it’s likely that Trump could pick someone a few decades younger than him to stand next to him.

Noem is 26 years younger than Trump.