Donald Trump confirmed via his Twitter account Friday that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will be his running mate — and it sounds like the decision was as crushing a blow to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was reportedly on the shortlist, as one would expect.
An opponent of Trump's during the primary season, Christie executed a classic "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" move when he endorsed Trump in February. The New Jersey governor has since been mocked for what some onlookers believe was an obvious ploy to become Trump's running mate. Since backing him, Christie has been rumored to be fetching Trump's McDonald's orders. It hasn't helped matters that Christie often looks strangled and hostage-like in the background of Trump's rallies.
Trump delayed the announcement of his running mate due to the attacks in Nice, but sources that spoke with NBC News said the presumptive Republican nominee was "irritated" that the media was repeatedly identifying Pence as his VP. "Those sources said that by mid-afternoon, after the initial news reports, [Trump] had still 'not informed' the other two men on his final list — former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — that a final decision had been reached," NBC wrote. "Trump spoke to Gov. Christie after 4 p.m. in what was described as a 'tense' conversation where a Pence pick was discussed but a final decision was not communicated."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Here's the real burn, though: Trump's announcement about Pence on Saturday is apparently scheduled to take place... in New Jersey. Jeva Lange
-
Trump wants to exert control over federal architectureThe Explainer Beyond his ballroom, Trump has several other architectural plans in mind
-
6 well-crafted log homesFeature Featuring a floor-to-ceiling rock fireplace in Montana and a Tulikivi stove in New York
-
‘The nonviolence resulted from the organizers’ message’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
