President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE on Wednesday asked Vice President Pence to be his running mate in 2020 in an impromptu exchange during a White House press conference.

A reporter asked Trump if he would be willing to lock in Pence as his running mate for 2020, given prospective Democratic presidential candidates are likely to begin jockeying for the nomination now that the midterms are over.

"Well I haven’t asked him, but I hope so," Trump said.

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"Mike, will you be my running mate?" he added, calling on Pence to stand up.

The vice president nodded his head in affirmation as some White House staff in the room applauded.

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

Trump picked Pence, the former governor of Indiana, to be his running mate in 2016. Pence has since emerged as an unflinching defender and supporter of the president, at times drawing mockery on social media for the ways in which he mirrors the president.

A number of Democrats are expected to declare their intention to run for president in the coming weeks and months. Among the prospective candidates are Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (D-Calif.) and former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' MORE.