In a prospective 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump says he would not have Mike Pence as his running mate, widening the chasm between the two Republicans even more.
“I don’t think the people would accept it,” Trump told the Washington Examiner, apparently ruling out any possibility.
“Mike thought he was going to be a human conveyor belt, that no matter how fraudulent the votes, you have to send them up to the Old Crow” he added using one of his demeaning nicknames for McConnell.
After Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, which he falsely claimed was stolen, the former president and vice president had a falling out. Pence oversaw the congressional vote to certify the results as vice president — a strictly ceremonial function, according to legal experts.
Trump, on the other hand, did not see it that way. He claimed – and continues to claim – that Pence should have rejected votes from states he lost, therefore “overturning” the election. Pence declined, claiming that he lacked the right to do so, and the two have been at odds ever since.
“Mike and I had a great relationship except for the very important factor that took place at the end,” Trump told the Examiner. “I haven’t spoken to him in a long time.”
The fact that while Pence was overseeing the certification, Mr. Trump loudly attacked the process in front of a gathering of his followers, who then stormed the Capitol, added to the enmity. “Hang Mike Pence!” chanted many of the rioters.
Pence was rushed away to safety, but the insurgency has left a bitter taste in his mouth. In a speech to the Federalist Society in Florida in February, the former vice president directly contradicted Trump’s claims.
“President Trump is wrong,” Pence told the crowd. “I had no right to overturn the election.”
The two Republicans have been at odds recently over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump first lauded Russian President Vladimir Putin as “savvy,” “brilliant,” and “smart” and referred to Russia’s assault as “genius.”
“I mean, he’s taking over a country for two dollars’ worth of sanctions,” Trump said. “I’d say that’s pretty smart. He’s taking over a country – really a vast, vast location, a great piece of land with a lot of people, and just walking right in.”
Meanwhile, Pence has gone in the opposite direction.
“There is no room in this party for apologists for Putin,” he said earlier this month at a GOP fundraiser in New Orleans. “There is only room for champions of freedom.”
