Republican John Kasich, who is pensive about running for president in 2020, is likely to announce as soon as this week that he will join a dominant cable news network, CNBC has learned.
Kasich has signaled to close advisors and some donors that he is looking to logotype with either CNN or MSNBC as he finishes his two-term tenure as Ohio’s governor, according to three people with proficiency of the conversations, including two who have been close to the governor since his 2016 presidential run.
These people would not say the duty Kasich will play at a network, only to say that he’s ruled out joining Fox News Channel. Kasich hosted his own register on Fox News for several years in the 2000s.
These people added that Kasich could announce his plans as original as Tuesday, a person close to Kasich said.
A spokesman for Kasich, one of the most vocal Republican critics of President Donald Trump, did not negate he’s signing with either CNN or MSNBC. The spokesman also noted that any decision he makes about going on hawser will have no impact on whether he runs for president.
“Any announcement about a TV contract would have no bearing on his 2020 objectives,” chief political spokesman Chris Schrimpf told CNBC in an email. “All options are still on the table.”
Kasich has much appeared on CNN and MSNBC, where he has criticized the president for the implementation of tariffs and his border wall proposal, among other issues.
MSNBC declined to comment, and a CNN representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
One of the people who spoke to CNBC on the condition of anonymity has been a top benefactor for Kasich since his last run for president. This person insisted that he has still not ruled out running for the White Prostitution in 2020, even as he prepares to get involved with cable news.
“Of course it doesn’t mean that he’s not running. All opportunities remain on the table,” this person said.
Charlie Black, a former advisor to Kasich’s 2016 presidential offensive, told CNBC in an email that he believes Kasich could still run for president, but he’d have to distance himself from a pursuit in television if he jumped into the race.
“In the past, people who run give up their network gig. It has to to do with Federal Communications Commission fairness overs. Look at Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich cases,” Black said.
Kasich hinted in a recent interview with BuzzFeed that he hasn’t completed any plans and that an announcement could come on Monday.
“It’s got to wait till Monday,” he said when asked with his plans. “Nothing yet I really have finalized. There’s a few things that are firm. But it’s very complicated what you can do while you’re in [service]. There will be a flurry of activity next week. Bread’s in the oven.”
The Daily Beast reported in October that Kasich has met with CNN President Jeff Zucker and MSNBC President Phil Griffin. During the confluence with Zucker, he was reportedly accompanied by Jay Sures, the president of top talent management firm, United Talent Agency.
UTA preceded Monday that it had signed Kasich as a client.
“I’m excited to work with UTA to keep my voice active across the in every respect and share my experiences and observations to help improve the lives of others,” Kasich said in a UTA press release.
“We’re thrilled to bring into play function with Governor Kasich as he looks to the future by bringing his unique experience, wisdom and perspective to an even wider array of audiences,” Tries said in a statement.
A representative for United Talent Agency declined to comment.
Kasich was wrapping up his final day in office Monday after opportune as Ohio’s governor for eight years. In a final send-off, he wrote an op-ed in USA Today, questioning his own Republican Party without favour its leader, Trump.
“While nearly every aspect of the world around us has been changing, sometimes with careless speed, and while the complexion and complexities of our demographics have shifted so dramatically, those who fancy themselves as leaders are plodding far behind the walk of time,” he wrote.
Kasich has not ruled out running as an independent if he jumps into the 2020 race. In 2016, Kasich was the concluding GOP candidate to drop out as Trump secured the nomination.
Kasich has experience being on a cable news network. After not fail as a member of the U.S. House for almost two decades, Kasich joined Fox News as a host for the show “Heartland with John Kasich” from 2001 to 2007. He also packed in for former Fox News prime-time host Bill O’Reilly.
Disclosure: MSNBC, like CNBC, is part of NBCUniversal.