Former Vice President Mike Pence revealed his brief exchange with President-elect Trump, which was caught on camera at former President Carterโs state funeral.
The pair have not been seen publicly together since leaving the White House in disagreement over the 2020 election results. At the service at the National Cathedral, Pence stood up to shake Trump’s hand, and they appeared to exchange pleasantries.
Former second lady Karen Pence, who was seated next to her husband, did not stand up or acknowledge Trump.
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In an interview with Christianity Today, Pence said he “welcomed” the opportunity to speak with Trump.
“He greeted me when he came down the aisle. I stood up, extended my hand. He shook my hand. I said, โCongratulations, Mr. President,โ and he said, โThanks, Mike,โ” Pence said.
Former Vice President Al Gore, left, watches as former Vice President Mike Pence, center, shakes hands with President-elect Trump before a state funeral service for former President Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Jan. 9, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Pence also recalled one of his final conversations with Trump in 2021, when he told Trump he would continue to pray for him. Trump responded, “Don’t bother,” the outlet reported.
“I said, โYou know, thereโs probably two things that weโre never going to agree on. โฆ Weโre probably never going to agree on what my duty was under the Constitution on Jan. 6.’ And then I said, โAnd Iโm never going to stop praying for you,'” Pence told Christianity Today. “And he said, ‘Thatโs right, Mike, donโt ever change.'”
He said he kept his word.
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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks before former President Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, at a campaign event, Nov. 1, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
While the two appeared to remain cordial at the service for Carter, Pence told the outlet he doesnโt think Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is the right fit to manage Health and Human Services and was concerned about former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard serving as national intelligence director.
Fox News Digital reached out to Trump and Advancing American Freedom, a public policy advocacy organization founded by Pence, for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
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Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this article.
