Karen Pence Missing as Hubby Shows Up to Inauguration
The former second lady infamously snubbed Donald and Melania Trump out of a greeting at Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Karen Pence did not appear alongside her husband when he arrived at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
It’s the second Trump snubbing by the former second lady in as many weeks after she infamously refused to greet the couple at Jimmy Carter’s funeral—a decision that earned her equal praise and ridicule by MAGA and Democrats.
Mike Pence arrives at the ceremony pic.twitter.com/Eqs2RLuYm5
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 20, 2025
Also notably skipping Monday’s inauguration is the former first lady Michelle Obama.
Mike Pence, despite his treatment in the final weeks of Trump’s first term, greeted his former running mate at Carter’s funeral and appeared to be in good spirits at his second inauguration.
Karen, 68, is apparently less forgiving over how her husband was treated by Trump. The president infamously expelled him from MAGA—and was accused of contributing to him being physically threatened by rioters on Jan. 6, 2021—for not buying into his fake electors plot.
On our first visit to Taiwan this week, @KarenPence and I were inspired by the courageous stand of the Taiwanese people for democracy, free enterprise and the rule of law. As I said in Taipei, with China’s increasing threats toward Taiwan, the incoming Trump administration and… pic.twitter.com/uVtQvQsYU2
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 18, 2025
If Karen were searching for an excuse—besides her suspected disdain for Trump—she might blame her absence on jet lag. She accompanied her husband on a trip to Taiwan over the weekend, which is an eye-popping 7,711 miles away from her native Indiana as the crow flies.
In a statement about the visit, Pence asked that the Trump administration “renew our commitment to provide Taiwan with the support it needs to defend itself and its freedom.”
Mike Pence shares a moment with Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, before the Monday’s inauguration.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/via REUTERS
Pence also made a statement Monday that said he was “praying for President Trump and Vice President Vance as they assume the awesome responsibility of leading this great Nation.” He shook hands with Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, before he found his seat.
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“This is a day when every American does well to celebrate our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States,” he added.
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