Fox News and Gingrich suspend contributor agreement over VP speculation
Fox News has suspended Newt Gingrich as a contributor given the speculation about him potentially becoming Donald Trump's running mate--an arrangement that could only last a few days, given the likely timing for Trump's vice presidential announcement.
"FOX News Channel has mutually agreed to suspend its contributor agreement with Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich effective immediately," Fox said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "Due to the intense media speculation about Gingrich's potential selection as Donald Trump's vice presidential candidate, we felt it best to halt his contributor role on the network to avoid all conflicts of interest that may arise."
This is not the first time Gingrich has been suspended by Fox: back in 2011, when he was nearing the launch of his own presidential bid in 2012, the network suspended him and fellow 2012 hopeful Rick Santorum.
The former House speaker has acknowledged he's being vetted by Trump's team as a potential running mate; at a rally last week, Trump said Gingrich is "going to be involved with our government" in some way, though he didn't specify whether it's as vice president or in a cabinet position. Others who appear to be on the candidate's shortlist include New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
Gingrich, interestingly enough, last appeared on Fox Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the announcement from Fox about his suspension--and he was there to comment on the vice presidential search process.
"My guess is you're going to hear either tomorrow or Thursday," he said. "Certainly no later than Friday."
