Donald Trump offered Mike Pence vice president job on Thursday, source says

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has offered Mike Pence the job of vice president, and Trump aides have told the Indiana goveor the formal aouncement could be made on Saturday.

That’s according to a Republican with direct knowledge of the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the details of Trump’s search for a ruing mate.

Trump made the offer Thursday afteoon, before Pence traveled late in the day to New York, the Republican said.

The aouncement originally had been plaed for Friday moing in midtown Manhattan, but Trump delayed his plans after the truck attack in Nice, France, that left more than 80 people dead.

The billionaire said in a series of television interviews Thursday night that he’d not yet settled on a “final, final” choice, leaving open the possibility the unpredictable presumptive nominee could change his mind.

But Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, said Friday moing he believed Trump had “reached a decision but he isn’t prepared to aounce it yet.”

Manafort dismissed suggestions in an interview on Fox News Chael that Trump was having second thoughts about his choice. He said Trump was plaing on making an aouncement this weekend.

A second Republican said Friday he spoke to Trump on Thursday moing, and the New York real estate mogul said he had chosen Pence and would be calling the goveor to make the offer and ask him to fly to New York.

That Republican also spoke on condition of anonymity, because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the conversation.

Trump’s prospective choice of Pence as his ruing mate adds political experience — and a dose of unflappability — to the Republican presidential ticket.

Pence is a staunch conservative with a calm demeanor and deep ties to Washington. His apparent selection signals Trump is serious about addressing GOP conces about his own conservative credentials and lack of Washington experience.

Pence served six terms in Congress before becoming goveor and could help Trump navigate Congress. He’s well-regarded by evangelical Christians, particularly after signing a law that critics said would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons.

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