In a rare public encounter, former U.S. President Donald Trump and his ex-Vice President, Mike Pence, shook hands on Thursday at the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter in Washington. The gesture marked the first public interaction between the two since leaving office in 2021.
Their relationship has been fraught with tension, particularly during the tumultuous final days of their administration. Trump and his allies reportedly pressured Pence to block the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory, a request Pence firmly rejected. Trump later criticized Pence publicly, accusing him of lacking the “courage” to challenge the results.
In 2023, the divide deepened when Pence, during Washington’s Gridiron Dinner, denounced Trump’s role in the January 6 Capitol attack. Pence stated, “President Trump was wrong. I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day. History will hold Donald Trump accountable.”
Despite the apparent animosity, Thursday’s brief handshake between Trump and Pence has sparked widespread attention, as it comes amidst Trump’s ongoing 2024 presidential campaign, where he has chosen JD Vance as his running mate instead of reconciling with Pence.
The funeral of Jimmy Carter, a revered statesman, served as a somber backdrop to this unexpected interaction. Observers remain curious whether this gesture signals any potential thaw in their strained relationship or merely a moment of civility in a highly publicized feud.