Former Vice President Mike Pence made it clear on Friday that he will not be endorsing his former boss and two-time running mate in the upcoming 2024 general election. This decision highlights the deep divisions that have formed between the two men since they left office.
“It should not be surprising that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year,” said Pence during an interview with Martha MacCallum on Fox News. Pence, who had his own unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2024, made this statement.
In a recent statement, Vice President Pence expressed his pride in the accomplishments of the previous administration, highlighting the conservative values that drove their policies. He emphasized that their efforts resulted in a more prosperous and secure America, as well as the appointment of conservative judges. However, Pence also acknowledged the existence of significant differences between himself and President Trump during his presidential campaign, indicating that they had contrasting views on various issues.
Former President Trump has been designated as the presumptive Republican nominee for the upcoming November election, thereby paving the way for a potential rematch with President Biden.
Pence has consistently expressed his belief that he lacked the power to overturn the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021, despite pressure from Trump. As he announced his campaign, Pence emphasized that Trump’s actions on that day were disqualifying.
In a recent interview with Fox News, the former vice president expressed that his disagreements with Trump extend beyond that particular day. He highlighted the former president’s failure to present a comprehensive strategy for addressing the national debt, his elusive remarks regarding abortion restrictions, and his recent objection to a ban on TikTok, which was a matter pursued by their administration in 2020.
According to Pence, he expressed his inability to endorse Donald Trump in the current campaign due to the misalignment between Trump’s agenda and the conservative agenda they pursued during their four years of governance. Pence stated, “In each of these cases, Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years. And that’s why I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign.”
Pence firmly declared his refusal to cast his vote in favor of Biden.
Pence remained an unwaveringly loyal vice president to Trump during their tenure in the White House. However, he underwent a transformation and became one of the former president’s most vocal critics during his 2024 GOP primary campaign, which concluded in October.
Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed his reaction as he took the stage to address the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual leadership meeting in Las Vegas on October 28, 2023.
Former Vice President, Joe Biden, often cautioned his party about the dangers of embracing populism. He expressed doubts about President Trump’s dedication to conservative policy objectives.
Pence, along with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, joins the group of former challengers to Trump for the nomination who have not yet endorsed him.
Several other candidates who competed against Trump, such as Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R), and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (R), have all thrown their support behind the former president.
Pence’s advocacy group recently revealed its plan to allocate $20 million towards influencing the conservative agenda and supporting the election of conservative candidates.
