Classless Karen Pence Pays Price For What She Did To Melania At Funeral
At the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday, Karen Pence, wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, ignited controversy by refusing to shake hands with Melania Trump.
The incident occurred at the Washington National Cathedral, where the Trumps made their first prominent public appearance since Donald Trump secured victory in the 2024 presidential election. Instead of extending a polite handshake, Pence “moved coldly aside,” avoiding any interaction.
Despite the apparent snub, Melania Trump maintained her composure, smiling graciously. The incident highlights the strained relationship between the president-elect and his former vice president, a key political narrative since the 2020 election.
Their partnership, once described as “strong and complimentary,” began to deteriorate following disagreements over the events surrounding January 6, 2021, and the aftermath of the election.
Pence declined Trump’s request to block the certification of the Electoral College results, emphasizing his “constitutional obligation” to uphold the process. This decision enraged Trump and alienated many of his supporters, who viewed Pence’s actions as a betrayal.
The Capitol breach on January 6 further strained their alliance, as chants against Pence echoed throughout the attack. Trump’s subsequent condemnation of the violence only deepened the rift, leaving their relationship fractured.
Since then, Pence has publicly distanced himself from Trump, criticizing his actions on January 6 and signaling a broader separation from the former president’s influence in the Republican Party. Social media erupted as clips of Karen Pence’s snub circulated, with many calling it a “willful act of contempt.”
One user wrote, “People with no class, make classless moves,” while another commented, “I would expect nothing less from a Pence.” Public reaction was overwhelmingly critical, portraying the former Second Lady’s gesture as petty and vindictive amidst Trump’s resurgence in power.
Observers labeled the incident “needless and inappropriate,” especially for someone who once held a significant role in the administration. “Karen Pence wants nothing to do with Donald or Melania Trump,” remarked one commentator. “This was completely unnecessary.” Others speculated that the gesture symbolized unresolved tensions between the Pence and Trump families stemming from the Capitol riot and its aftermath.