Trump Biographer: Pence Sees Himself as ‘President-in-Waiting,’ Scandals Bring Him Closer to Oval Office

Donald Trump biographer Michael D’Antonio appeared on CNN today to promote his new book on how Mike Pence is using the vice presidency to prop up his own political future, even at Trump’s expense.

D’Antonio began by saying that his new piece – The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence – explains that “everything that Mike Pence does is oriented toward him becoming president.” He argued that Pence sees the presidency as his destiny because of his deep religious views, and that idea is constantly reinforced by Trump’s knack for generating controversy and questions about his own political survival.

“He thought that God was calling him to now be vice president and function as a president-in-waiting,” said D’Antonio. “So we see Donald Trump in this huge crisis, this rolling chaos, and I think with everyday, Mike Pence imagines he’s one day closer to the Oval Office.”

The discussion went on with D’Antonio’s observation that Pence has developed a substantial infrastructure for himself and his interests, even while carrying out the Trump agenda. If the president was unable to pursue re-election in 2020 for some reason, D’Antonio believes that Pence’s network would allow him to easily win the Oval Office and impose a religious-inspired political agenda through his new administration.

At one point, John Berman cited a quote from D’Antonio’s book where he wrote that “the vice president actually believed he could bring Trump to Jesus, and like Jesus, he was willing to do whatever was necessary to help save Trump’s soul.” When asked to explain, D’Antonio said that Pence’s religious views cause him to believe that “anything is permissible in the pursuit of a higher goal,” and that includes “abandoning many of his principles” during efforts to convert Trump.

Watch above, via CNN.

[Image via screengrab]

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