Karen Pence, the spouse of former Vice President Mike Pence, ignited controversy on Thursday by declining to shake hands with Melania Trump during the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. This incident occurred as the Trumps made their first significant public appearance following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election at the Washington National Cathedral. Rather than offering a handshake, Pence turned away in a seemingly dismissive manner.
Melania Trump appeared to respond to the situation with poise, maintaining a polite smile despite the apparent slight. The estrangement between the president-elect and his former Vice President has been a prominent political narrative since the 2020 election. Their relationship, once perceived as robust and mutually supportive, began to deteriorate due to disagreements regarding the aftermath of the election and the events of January 6, 2021.
Trump had urged Pence to obstruct the certification of the Electoral College results, a request Pence declined, citing his constitutional responsibilities. This refusal angered Trump and alienated numerous supporters who interpreted Pence’s actions as a betrayal. The Capitol riot on January 6 further exacerbated the divide, with chants directed at Pence for not overturning the election results. Trump’s subsequent condemnation of the violence intensified the discord, resulting in a significant fracture of their previously strong alliance. Since then, Pence has distanced himself from Trump, openly criticizing his actions on January 6 and indicating a broader separation from Trump’s influence within the Republican Party. Social media was abuzz as videos of the encounter circulated, with many labeling the snub as a calculated act of disrespect.
Individuals quickly expressed their opinions, with one user commenting, “Individuals lacking class often engage in classless behavior,” while another remarked, “I would anticipate nothing different from a Pence.” The prevailing public sentiment was largely negative, characterizing the former Second Lady as spiteful and resentful in response to Trump’s resurgence in influence.
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Critics have raised concerns regarding the motivation behind Pence’s perceived slight, deeming it both unnecessary and inappropriate for an individual who previously occupied a prominent position within the administration. One observer remarked, “Karen Pence desires no association with Donald or Melania Trump,” emphasizing that such actions were entirely unwarranted. Additionally, some commentators proposed that Pence’s behavior may indicate underlying conflicts between her family and the Trumps, which have arisen from the repercussions of January 6 and the events surrounding the 2021 Capitol breach.
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