Pence, Trump share brief handshake at Carter funeral


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Mike Pence recently shared details about his interaction with Donald Trump at Jimmy Carter’s funeral during an interview with Christianity Today. The former vice president recounted their brief exchange, describing how Trump approached him and they exchanged a handshake.

“He greeted me when he came down the aisle,” Pence explained. “I stood up, extended my hand. He shook my hand.”

“I said, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President,’ and he said, ‘Thanks, Mike.'”

The former vice president expressed gratitude for the interaction and mentioned its potential symbolic significance.

“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.”

When asked about his wife Karen’s apparent snub of the Trumps during the event, Pence offered a diplomatic response: “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.”

The relationship between Pence and Trump deteriorated significantly following the events of January 6th, 2021, when Pence certified the 2020 presidential election results despite claims of electoral irregularities. This decision marked a turning point in their political alliance, with Pence losing considerable support among Trump’s base.

Subsequently, Pence’s own presidential aspirations fell short, leading to an early campaign withdrawal before the primary season. Despite initially pledging to support the Republican nominee, he later declined to endorse Trump’s candidacy.

In recent statements, Pence expressed strong opposition to the possibility of Trump pardoning January 6th protesters. “I don’t think the president should pardon anyone who assaulted a police officer at the United States Capitol on January 6,” he stated.

He further added: “Karen and I are literally praying that President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance will stand on the commitments that they will make when they raise their right hands on that day.”

This stands in direct contrast to Trump’s stated intention to pardon many of those involved in the January 6th events upon taking office.