Will Newt Gingrich Be Trump's VP? Speculation Rises After Fox News, Gingrich Cut Ties

Speculation that presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump would pick Newt Gingrich as his running-mate ran wild Tuesday afternoon, after Fox News ended its contributor contract with the former House speaker "due to the intense media speculation" that Gingrich could be on Trump's presidential ticket.

"Fox News Channel has mutually agreed to suspend its contributor agreement with former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich effective immediately," Fox News Channel Executive Vice President Jay Wallace said in a statement, according to CNN. "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."

It's standard operating procedure for Fox to cut ties with politicians who are weighing runs for political office.

But the timing of Fox's announcement — just days before Republicans gather in Cleveland for the Republican National Convention — led to palace intrigue into the Trump veepstakes.

Gingrich is being vetted by the Trump campaign, and has expressed interest in the role.

CBS News' Kelly O'Donnell reported that Trump will make his VP announcement Friday.

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