Mike Pence Breaks Silence On Wife Snubbing Donald Trump At Jimmy Carter's Funeral
01/11/2025 01:50 PM
On Thursday, Mike Pence's wife refused to greet Donald Trump at former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral. That ended up becoming a major talking point for news networks.
Roughly 24 hours after the funeral wrapped up, Mike Pence spoke to Russell Moore of Christianity Today about the service, Trump's upcoming term in office, and a whole lot more. He made it clear that he was more than happy to speak to his former running mate.
"The opportunity to speak to the president yesterday is something that I appreciated, I welcomed," Pence said. "I've really been blessed at how much I've heard from people around the country who saw [our] handshake, and in that handshake, saw some hope that we might be moving past those difficult days. That's certainly my hope. He greeted me when he came down the aisle. I stood up, extended my hand. He shook my hand. I said, 'Congratulations, Mr. President,' and he said, 'Thanks, Mike.'"
When asked about his wife refusing to shake Trump's hand, Pence did a good job steering around the question.
"You'd have to ask my wife about her posture, but we've been married 44 years, and she loves her husband, and her husband respects her deeply," Pence said.
Former Second Lady Karen Pence has ripped Trump in the past. Leading up to the 2024 presidential election, she said, "I don't think anybody who puts himself above the Constitution should ever be president of the United States."
The Pence family's feelings towards Trump can most likely be traced back to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Trump wanted Pence to reject the results from the 2020 presidential election. When that didn't happen, he said Pence "lacked the courage" to carry out his plan. That led to a ton of backlash.
"I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable," Pence said.
Judging by Karen Pence's refusal to shake hands with Trump, she's still not ready to forgive him.
Related: Melania Trump Turns Heads With Outfit At Jimmy Carter's Funeral
