Trump privately asking aides if Pence is loyal: report

President Trump Donald John TrumpAvenatti ‘still considering’ presidential run despite domestic violence arrest Mulvaney positioning himself to be Commerce Secretary: report Kasich: Wouldn’t want presidential run to ‘diminish my voice’ MORE has privately asked aides about his vice president Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceNorth Korea's Kim oversees new weapons test What is the end game with China? Scarborough: Pence giving Baghdad Bob a bad name MORE's loyalty, The New York Times reported Friday.

Trump reportedly questioned Pence's allegiance so many times that many of his advisers are alarmed, as those kinds of inquiries tend to indicate that he is irritated with someone.

According to the Times, most people within the White House have been supportive of Pence when asked, but some of Trump's outside advisers have suggested that the vice president may have used up his utility.

Trump has reportedly not made it clear whether he is seriously considering a 2020 ticket change or whether he is simply trying to get advisers' opinions before the campaign begins.

The Times noted that some outside advisers have suggested outgoing United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Nimrata (Nikki) HaleyHaley honored with 'Woman of Valor' award at Independent Women's Forum gala Ben Shapiro mocks David Hogg over ‘shark attack’ tweet Hillicon Valley: DHS cyber unit gets makeover | Russia wants DNC hacking suit dismissed | Facebook paid group that linked critics to Soros | Panel warns of threat from Chinese tech | Koch groups criticize incentives to corporations after Amazon deal MORE as a potential replacement for Pence. Trump praised Haley when she announced her intentions to leave her post at the U.N. in October.

At a press conference earlier this month, Trump asked Pence to be his 2020 running mate in an impromptu exchange.

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

"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.

It is not clear if this was an official announcement that the two would run together again.

A representative from the White House did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment. Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley told the Hill that Trump “absolutely supports the vice president and thinks he’s doing an incredible job helping to carry out the mission and policies of this administration.”