While the exchange was brief and the words exchanged were not picked up by the press, Pence later spoke candidly about the moment in an interview with Christianity Today. He shared what Trump had said to him during the interaction, offering a glimpse into the state of their relationship.
“I stood up, extended my hand. He shook my hand. I said, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President,’ and he said, ‘Thanks, Mike,’” Pence recalled.
The former vice president expressed his appreciation for the moment, noting that many across the country had commented on the significance of their handshake. “I’ve really been blessed at how much I’ve heard from people around the country who saw our handshake, and in that handshake, saw some hope that we might be moving past those difficult days,” Pence said.
Those “difficult days” were a reference to the tense period following the January 6th Capitol riot, where Pence and Trump’s differing views on the vice president’s role in certifying the election results caused a rift between them. Pence recalled one of their final conversations in the White House before the split, during which he had offered to pray for Trump. “I said, ‘You know, there’s probably two things that we’re never going to agree on,’” Pence reflected. “We’re probably never going to agree on what my duty was under the Constitution on January 6 and I’m never going to stop praying for you.” Trump’s response was blunt: “Don’t bother. That’s right. Mike, don’t ever change.”
The moment at Carter’s funeral wasn't the only attention-grabbing interaction between the two. Pence also addressed the public’s focus on his wife Karen’s reaction to the Trumps as they passed her on their way to their seats. While the moment was scrutinized on social media, Pence remained gracious, saying, “You’d have to ask my wife about her posture, but we’ve been married 44 years, and she loves her husband, and her husband respects her deeply.”
Throughout his political career, Mike Pence has built a reputation for personal integrity and respect, particularly when it comes to his relationship with his wife. Pence famously avoids meeting alone with women or attending events where alcohol is served unless Karen is present, a reflection of his deep commitment to his values and family.
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