Fox News may not hire back Newt Gingrich even if he isn’t chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate.
A source close to the situation told The Hill that even if Gingrich isn’t picked as Trump’s vice presidential pick, the network is likely to keep its distance; Gingrich would still likely be under consideration for a spot in Trump’s potential administration, keeping the conflict of interest alive at least until Election Day.
{mosads}The network suspended its contributor contract with Gingrich Tuesday afternoon, citing “intense media speculation” about Trump choosing Gingrich as his running mate.
It’s not the first time the former Speaker’s political ambitions have conflicted with his career as a cable news political analyst. Back in 2011, Fox News suspended Gingrich after he first openly considered a run for president. Gingrich did end up seeking the GOP nomination that election season but lost out to Mitt Romney.
The suspension of the contributor agreement appears to be on friendly terms. Gingrich appeared on Fox News just as the announcement went out during the 4 p.m. hour on the network’s “Your World” with guest host Sandra Smith where he said the following:
“If you had an opportunity to help lead the country, I don’t see how you could turn it down,” Gingrich said of Trump tapping him for VP. “I think you’d want to work down the details of what it means but it would be very very hard for a citizen who cares deeply not to undertake take the opportunity to help fix things in the country.”
Gingrich joined Fox News eight months ago as a contributor. He was previously with CNN, where he was once co-host of the ill-fated revival attempt of the political debate program “Crossfire.”
The Georgia native was Speaker of the House during President Bill Clinton’s administration from 1994 to 1999.