Sources tell NBC News that Donald Trump was watching news coverage from his Beverly Hills home Thursday and was described as surprised and “irritated” that news organizations were identifying Pence as his choice early in the day.

Those sources said that by mid-afternoon, after the initial news reports, he had still “not informed” the other two men on his final list -former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — that a final decision had been reached. Trump spoke to Gov. Christie after 4:00pm in what was described as a “tense” conversation where a Pence pick was discussed but a final decision was not communicated.

By about 5:00pm, sources said Trump had not personally made the offer to Pence to join the ticket. But by that time, other signals, movements and the Indiana governor’s arrival in the New York City area on a private plane appeared to signal that the choice had been made.

After that, sources close to Christie say the New Jersey governor, stung by the lack of clarity, indicated they did not expect to see Trump move away from Pence despite the unresolved conversation. Sources close to Gingrich did not specify what he had been told about the status of the running mate selection and he has not said publicly whether he was fully informed.