Former President Donald Trump praised North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) during a weekend rally in New Jersey. The event drew tens of thousands of people and saw Burgum play a significant part in the rally amid speculation that he is under consideration by Trump to be his vice presidential pick.
There was no question that Burgum was a guest of honor for the former president, which came as Trump is reportedly considering a handful of names as his potential running mate.
Burgum spoke to the crowd before the former president, and said that working with him was “like having a beautiful breeze at your back.”
“President Trump respects state’s rights. He cut regulation. He lowered taxes,” said the governor. “Working under the Biden regulatory regime is like having a gale-force wind in your face.”
“First of all, it’s so important for the country that President Trump gets re-elected,” he said separately. “As a governor having had the opportunity to serve under President Trump and President [Joe] Biden, I get to see a front-row seat on the difference in what leadership means.”
“And so if the Trump team says ‘hey can you come and help out?’ we say ‘yes,’” said Burgum.
Trump said that Burgum “probably knows more about energy than anybody I know.” North Dakota is one of the nation’s leading producers of oil due to a major shale formation.
“So, get ready for something, okay? Just get ready,” said Trump. The comment came after Trump invited Burgum and other guests to his Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month.
The retreat was widely viewed as potential preparation for his announcement of a vice presidential candidate.
🚨Just in: President Trump told North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to “Get ready for something.” at the rally in New Jersey.
pic.twitter.com/3Iu3eQNxPP— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) May 11, 2024
The event drew up to 100,000 people in the heavily Democratic state of New Jersey. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-NJ) called it the largest political rally in the history of the state.
The event also came as the former president said that he would win the state. It also followed similar comments that his campaign would make a serious effort to win his former home state of New York.
