Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence compared Donald Trump to former President John F. Kennedy during an interview with Fox News. | AP Photo Pence: Trump will get 95 percent of African-American vote in 2020

For running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Donald Trump's vow that he will receive 95 percent of the African-American vote in a potential reelection bid in 2020 is both "optimistic" and "pure Donald Trump." But Pence also suggested that the GOP nominee will, in fact, grow his support among all Americans if he is elected president.

Sitting down with Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt at his Indianapolis home over the weekend, Pence laughed when Trump's claim was referenced during the interview, aired Monday on "Fox & Friends." Asked why he was laughing, Pence explained himself.


"Well, that's Donald Trump," Pence said, outwardly extending his arms. "Look, he has a heart for every American and he also, he's a truth-teller. He speaks the truth. It's been the failed policies of Democrat politicians that have, that have harmed people living in the cities, in this country now for generations. And it's had special impact on the African-American community."

Pence then went on to compare Trump to former President John F. Kennedy, remarking that the Manhattan businessman has said, like Kennedy, "we're going to advance policies that cause all ships to rise, to create opportunities for every American."

"And his optimistic view about 2020 when he's running for re-election, that's pure Donald Trump," Pence remarked. "It's, look, we're going to deliver for every American and when the American people including, African-Americans in this country see the new jobs, new opportunities, the new educational choices that they will have under a Trump administration I have no doubt in my mind that that support is gonna grow."