North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum was not at Trump rally when gunfire apparently erupted, spokesman says

FARGO —

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum

was not with Donald Trump when

shots were reportedly fired during the former president’s rally

in Butler, Pennsylvania, a spokesman confirmed to The Forum.

Burgum, who is considered a top contender to be Trump’s running mate, is safe, Burgum spokesman Dawson Schefter said Saturday, July 13. He did not say where the governor was, but he was not at the Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.

Trump had just started his speech there when the sound of gunfire erupted. Video showed the presumed Republican nominee putting his hand to his ear before dropping to the ground.

Law enforcement yelled “shooter down” as security surrounded Trump on stage. Trump then stood up, pumped his fist in the air and was led away, surrounded by Secret Service. In a statement, the Secret Service said the shooter was “neutralized” and is dead.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he was shot in the ear. A spokesperson for Trump said he was “fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”

Burgum is reportedly on a short list of finalists Trump is considering for his running mate. The North Dakota Republican has served as the state’s governor since 2016.

In January, Burgum announced that he would not seek a third term as governor. Around that time, he endorsed Trump and has spent

multiple days out of state

campaigning for the former president.

Burgum asked his followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, to join him and his wife, Kathryn Burgum, in praying for Trump, his family and those who attended the rally.

“We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies,” Burgum said in a second tweet. “Today he showed it.”

Trump is expected to announce his vice president in the coming days as he prepares for his nomination to be confirmed at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The convention will start Monday, and reports indicate Trump’s running mate will speak there on Wednesday.

Burgum will attend the convention, Trump’s campaign confirmed on Saturday.

Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, both of whom are also considered to be in the running to be Trump’s vice president, will also attend the convention, the campaign said.