Karen Pence Refuses to Greet Donald Trump as Husband Mike Offers Him a Handshake at Jimmy Carter's Funeral

Mar. 15, 2025

Mike Pence and Donald Trump shake hands at Jimmy Carter’s funeral.Photo:Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Former second ladyKaren Pencedistanced herself fromDonald Trumpduring a brief encounter on Thursday, Jan. 9, appearing uninterested in reconnecting with her husband’s estranged ex-boss.

When President-elect Trump, 78, arrived withMelania Trumpat thestate funeralforJimmy Carteron Thursday, former Vice PresidentMike Pence, 65, stood to shake hands and exchange brief words with the couple.

The interaction marked the first time the former president and vice president had seen each other in nearly four years.

But while her husband greeted the Trumps, Karen, 68, remained seated, staring straight ahead and declining to acknowledge their proximity in a seemingly tense moment that wascaught on tape.

The Pences and Trumps sit near each other at Jimmy Carter’s funeral on Jan. 9, 2025.Getty

Getty

This tweet subsequently led to Trump’s supporters storming the U.S. Capitol with the hopes of stopping the certification.

Vice President Pence narrowly avoided the mob as somechanted, “Hang Mike Pence!”

In 2023, Pencesaidthat “[Trump’s] reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day.” He added, “I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable."

Later that year, Trump called Pence “delusional” and “not a very good person.”

John Raoux/AP/Shutterstock

Before the insurrection, Karen campaigned for Trump’s reelection, speaking positively about him and denying “false” claims that she didn’t support him.

“I just feel like I want to do my part,” she told theAssociated Pressin 2020 before embarking on a solo campaign trip back to her and her husband’s home state of Indiana.

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At another event in 2020, she said campaigning was “so exciting.” She added, “Under the leadership of President Trump and Vice President Pence — I have to put his name in there, too — we are getting things done.”

source: people.com