Trump and Youngkin strategize in Virginia to turn the state red in the upcoming November elections

Former President Donald Trump and Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) met in the Old Dominion on Wednesday as the former president contends he can compete for Virginia‘s 13 electoral votes in November.

The meeting reportedly occurred at Trump National Golf Club Washington D.C., located in northern Virginia, ahead of Trump’s high-stakes visit with congressional Republicans in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, the first time he returned to Capitol Hill since his presidency.

Multiple reports suggest the two discussed several topics, including how the former president can win Virginia in November, but that Youngkin as a running mate for Trump was not discussed.

Trump told Fox News’s Aishah Hasnie that Youngkin is “very good” when he was asked if the governor could be his vice presidential pick.

“He’s great. And I think I could consider that. Yes. I haven’t, I haven’t been asked that question, but he would be on that list. He’s very good. We had a great meeting about Virginia,” Trump said.

While Youngkin was running for governor in 2021, he distanced himself from Trump, who lost the state in 2016 and 2020, but the former president did host a tele-rally in support of Youngkin days before the election. As he has governed the commonwealth, Youngkin has formed his own brand separate from Trump as the face of the Virginia GOP.

Ahead of his announcement that he would be running for president in 2024, Trump attacked Youngkin, who was being floated as a GOP candidate, in a post on Truth Social, reminding him of when he backed his gubernatorial run.

“Young Kin (now that’s an interesting take. Sounds Chinese, doesn’t it?) in Virginia couldn’t have won without me. I Endorsed him, did a very big Trump Rally for him telephonically, got MAGA to Vote for him – or he couldn’t have come close to winning. But he knows that, and admits it. Besides, having a hard time with the Dems in Virginia – But he’ll get it done!” Trump said in a November 2022 post.

Youngkin brushed off the comments, saying, “That’s not the way I roll,” when asked about Trump’s name calling.

The Virginia governor would not endorse anyone in the Republican presidential primary until after the Virginia GOP primary, which Trump won handily, and after the final remaining challenger to Trump, Nikki Haley, dropped out.

“Voters in the Commonwealth and across the country have spoken loudly for President Donald J. Trump and I endorse him for President of the United States,” Youngkin said in a statement in March.

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“His record on border security, restoring American leadership around the world, reducing taxes and lowering the cost of living for all Americans stands in stark contrast to the open borders, failed leadership on the global stage, rampant inflation and higher costs of today. It’s time to unite around strong leadership and policies that grow our great nation, not four more years of President Biden,” he added.

Trump is expected to make his vice presidential pick around the time of the Republican National Convention next month.