President Donald Trump is considering replacing Vice President Mike Pence on his 2020 ticket, Vanity Fair’s Gabe Sherman reported.
According to the report, Trump held a 2020 strategy session with advisers on Monday where replacing Pence was discussed.
“They’re beginning to think about whether Mike Pence should be running again,” a source told Sherman, adding that the discussion included polling showing that Pence does not help expand Trump’s voter bloc. “He doesn’t detract from it, but he doesn’t add anything either,” the source said.
The news follows a New York Times report that Trump was privately asking about Pence’s loyalty and that his advisers were pushing for former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley to replace Pence on the ticket.
“What he needs to do is consider his team for 2020 and make sure it’s in place,” a Trump adviser told Sherman. “He has to have people on his team that are loyal to his agenda.”
According to the report, chief of staff John Kelly is among those telling Trump that Pence does not help him politically. Sources suggested that the criticism came after reports that Pence’s chief of staff Nick Ayers was gunning for his job.
“Kelly has started to get more political and he’s whispering to Trump that Trump needs a running mate who can help him more politically,” a source told Sherman.
Trump publicly asked Pence to stay on:
At a press conference in November, Trump was asked if Pence would definitely be his running mate in 2020.
"Well I haven’t asked him, but I hope so," Trump said. "Mike, will you be my running mate?"
After Pence responded with a nod, Trump added, “That was unexpected, but I feel very fine.”
Late night host goes in on Pence:
“Late Night” host Seth Meyers skewered Pence on Wednesday’s show, pointing out that Pence “doesn’t get as much credit for it” but was in fact “just as slippery of a liar as anyone else.”
“The only difference is when he lies, he crinkles his brow and uses a solemn tone,” said Meyers. “And when Trump lies, he sweats like a fugitive being chased by a pack of police dogs.”
