Karen Pence, wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, faced backlash on Thursday after appearing to snub Melania Trump at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral. The incident occurred at the Washington National Cathedral as the Trumps made their first major public appearance since Donald Trump’s re-election victory in 2024. Instead of greeting Melania with a handshake, Pence noticeably turned away, sparking controversy.
Melania Trump maintained her composure, responding with a polite smile despite the apparent slight. The tension between the Pences and Trumps stems from their falling out over the aftermath of the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol breach. Trump reportedly pressured Pence to overturn the Electoral College results, which Pence declined to do, citing his constitutional responsibilities. The decision enraged Trump and alienated his supporters, further fracturing their relationship.
Since then, Pence has publicly criticized Trump’s actions surrounding January 6 and has distanced himself from the former president’s influence in the Republican Party. Social media quickly lit up with reactions, with many viewing the incident as a calculated show of disrespect.
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Users wasted no time weighing in, with one tweeting, “People with no class, make classless moves,” while another wrote, “I would expect nothing less from a Pence.” The public sentiment was overwhelmingly critical, painting the former Second Lady as petty and vindictive in the face of Trump’s return to power.
Critics questioned the motive behind Pence’s apparent slight, calling it unnecessary and unbecoming of someone who once held a high-profile role in the administration. “Karen Pence wants nothing to do with Donald or Melania Trump,” said one observer. “There was no need for this whatsoever.” Others suggested Pence’s actions reflected deeper tensions between her family and the Trumps, stemming from the fallout of January 6 and the 2021 Capitol breach.
Karen Pence, wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, has sparked heated debate after an apparent snub toward Melania Trump during the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. The incident, which unfolded at the Washington National Cathedral, saw Pence seemingly turn away from Melania instead of extending a handshake. The moment came as the Trumps made their first major public appearance following Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential re-election victory.
Melania Trump, known for her composed demeanor, handled the situation with grace, offering a polite smile despite the perceived slight. However, the exchange has reignited discussions about the well-documented fallout between Donald Trump and Mike Pence, whose political alliance crumbled following the 2020 election.
The rift began when Trump urged Pence to block the certification of the Electoral College results, a move Pence refused, citing his constitutional responsibilities. This decision angered Trump and his supporters, many of whom targeted Pence during the January 6 Capitol breach. The chants against Pence that day, coupled with Trump’s public criticism, further strained their relationship.
In the years since, Pence has publicly condemned Trump’s role in the events surrounding January 6 and has distanced himself from Trump’s brand of Republican leadership. This public divergence has remained a point of contention, underscored by moments like the funeral interaction.
Social media users quickly reacted, with many interpreting Karen Pence’s gesture as a deliberate show of disrespect. The moment has since fueled further speculation about the ongoing tensions between the two political families.