Donald Trump’s campaign chairman said on Friday that Mr. Trump thought it was “totally inappropriate” to go forward announcing his vice presidential pick in the immediate aftermath of the deadly attack in Nice, France, on Thursday and that an announcement could come this weekend.
“I think that Mr. Trump has reached a decision, but he isn’t prepared to announce it yet,” Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort said on “Fox and Friends.” “Until he announces it, there’s no formal nominee.”
Mr. Manafort said Mr. Trump was “moved” by the deadly attack in Nice on Thursday, where dozens of people were killed after a truck drove through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day.
“He thought it was totally inappropriate in the aftermath of that tragedy to do something even as important as what he was going to do this morning,” Mr. Manafort said.
Reports on Thursday said signs were pointing to Mr. Trump tapping Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, but Mr. Trump said on Fox News Thursday evening he hadn’t made a final decision. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have also been named as possible picks.
“I don’t know that he’s having second thoughts, but he hasn’t announced it yet,” Mr. Manafort said.
“Mr. Trump is planning on making an announcement this weekend, and so people will certainly know by a very short time,” the campaign manager said.
Mr. Manafort said the campaign would be putting out an announcement Friday on what the new process will be. Mr. Trump had been scheduled to unveil his pick at an event in New York at 11 a.m. on Friday.
“I would think it’s going to happen before we go to Cleveland,” Mr. Manafort said. “It’ll happen before we go to Cleveland.”
The Republican National Convention is scheduled to kick off on Monday in Ohio.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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