Donald Trump reportedly had a 'tense' conversation with Chris Christie about his VP snub

Donald Trump has what is being characterized as a &quot;tense&quot; conversation with Chris Christie late in the day on Thursday regarding his pick for his running mate.

(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images))

published 15 July 2016

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."

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.