Karen Pence, wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, sparked controversy Thursday by refusing to shake hands with Melania Trump during former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral service at Washington National Cathedral. The gesture—or lack thereof—came as the Trumps made their first major public appearance following Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory. Pence’s cold dismissal, turning away instead of extending a hand, quickly became a focal point of public scrutiny.
Melania Trump’s Composure Amid the Snub
Despite the apparent slight, Melania Trump maintained her composure, offering a polite smile that underscored her poise. However, the moment highlighted the ongoing rift between the Trumps and the Pences, a tension deeply rooted in the aftermath of the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol breach.
A Fractured Political Partnership
Once seen as a model of a strong political alliance, the Trump-Pence relationship began to unravel when Mike Pence refused Donald Trump’s call to block the certification of Electoral College results in 2021. Pence cited his constitutional duty, a decision that angered Trump and alienated many of his supporters, who viewed it as a betrayal.
The Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, deepened the divide, as rioters chanted against Pence for not overturning the election results. Trump’s subsequent condemnation of the violence did little to mend their fractured relationship. Since then, Mike Pence has distanced himself from Trump, publicly criticizing his actions during the January 6 events and signaling a broader departure from Trump’s influence within the GOP.
Social Media Backlash
The handshake snub quickly went viral, with social media users expressing outrage and speculation. One user tweeted, “People with no class, make classless moves,” while another commented, “I would expect nothing less from a Pence.” The incident was widely seen as a deliberate act of disrespect, with critics accusing Karen Pence of pettiness and vindictiveness.
Observers also questioned whether Pence’s actions reflected unresolved tensions stemming from the Capitol breach and the fallout of January 6. “Karen Pence wants nothing to do with Donald or Melania Trump,” said one commentator. “There was no need for this whatsoever.”
Deeper Tensions Within the GOP
Karen Pence’s apparent snub also symbolizes broader divisions within the Republican Party, particularly between those aligned with Trump’s MAGA movement and traditional conservatives like the Pences. As Trump prepares to reenter the White House in 2024, these internal fractures are likely to shape the party’s future.
While the handshake that never happened may seem like a small gesture, it underscores the lingering bitterness and unresolved disputes within the GOP. With Trump’s return to power, the incident raises questions about whether these divisions can be mended or whether they will continue to define the party in the years to come.