Trump says Pence is '100% loyal'

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President Donald Trump said Saturday that he does not question the loyalty of Vice President Mike Pence and slammed The New York Times for publishing a story suggesting that he had.

"No, I don't question his loyalty at all. He is 100 percent loyal. It was a phony story," Trump told reporters at the White House as he departed for California.

"Mike Pence is 100 percent," Trump said. "Not even a doubt about it in my mind. He's been a trooper. He's been with me from as soon as I won the primaries. I could not be happier."

"The president absolutely supports the vice president and thinks he's doing an incredible job helping to carry out the mission and policies of this administration," Hogan Gidley, the deputy White House press secretary, said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump talks to the media on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, US, before his departure to California, November 17, 2018. /VCG Photo

Trump publicly asked Pence to be his 2020 running mate during his post-midterm election press conference at the White House.

Asked by a reporter if he would lock down his 2020 ticket, Trump asked Pence, "Mike, will you be my running mate?"

The vice president stood up from his seat in the audience and nodded yes.

"That was unexpected, but I feel very fine," Trump concluded.

(With inputs form agencies)