Donald Trump introduces Indiana governor Mike Pence as his VP pick in public address

Donald Trump was joined on stage by Indiana governor Mike Pence for the first time since announcing him as his pick for vice-president (VP). Trump had narrowed the candidates down to Pence, New Jersey governor Chris Christie and former house speaker Newt Gingrich, who was rumoured to be the favourite.

But the bombastic billionaire announced the socially conservative Pence as his VP pick and delayed his speech following the 14 July attack in Nice. Pence is expected to appeal to the right-wing religious base, whose support Trump has thus far struggled to attract. During the speech, Trump thanked the "evangelicals" for their support.

Pence was once a democrat and is a qualified attorney, who spent some time in private practice prior to entering politics. He was rumoured to be entering the presidential race in previous elections and has been tipped as 'one to watch' for several years now.

Some social media poked fun at the new logo featuring a 'T' for Trump penetrating a 'P' for Pence, which was first revealed in a fundraising email sent Friday afternoon by the RNC's joint fundraising committee.

Trump spoke for 25 minutes before passing the mic to Pence touching on his dislike for Hillary Clinton, his plans to target 'radical Islam' and how he predicted Brexit when no one else would. Eventually, he allowed Pence to speak saying before: "What a difference between crooked Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence. He's a solid, solid person."

Trump added: "I found the leader that will help us deliver a safe society and a prosperous society, a really prosperous society, for all Americans."

Pence, who initially backed senator Ted Cruz for president, was also an early advocate of the Tea Party, described himself as a "pretty basic guy" said of Trump that: "He will make a great president of the USA."

He spoke at length about himself and his early life growing up on an Indiana farm, declaring: "I'm a Christian, a conservative and a Republican in that order." He said he has been "battling the big spenders" since he arrived in Washington and said he "was part of the team that won back control of the Congress".

"I answered this call for two reasons. First, because I know that strong Republican leadership can bring real change," Pence added. "And secondly, because Hilary Clinton must never become president of the USA… the choice could not be more clear and the stakes could not be higher.

"Americans can choose a leader that will fight to make America safe and prosperous again and bring real change or we can elect someone that literally personifies the failed establishment at Washington DC.

"Terrorist attacks at home and abroad grim and heartbreaking scenes in France just a few days ago, the attempted coup in Turkey all a test to a world spinning apart… we must bring a change to America's stand in the world. On the world stage, Donald Trump will lead from strength and rebuild the arsenal of democracy."