Mike Pence Claims About Trump Talks Are Totally Inconsistent

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Photo: Mark Reinstein/Getty Images

The biggest question thats been on all of our minds since the Capitol riot (well, after Hey, are we headed into a civil war?) Is Are Donald Trump and Mike Pence still pals? The former vice-president, who apparently hopes to run for president in 2024, keeps suggesting everythings cool between him and his former boss. But inconsistencies in Pences latest remarks on the matter suggest, shockingly, that something may be amiss.

As you’ll recall, Pence was key to Trumps efforts to steal the presidency from Joe Biden, but the vice-president developed a spine at an inopportune moment. Reporting on the events of January 6, 2021, suggests the president was entirely unconcerned about his veeps safety even though members of the mob that breached the Capitol were heard chanting Hang Mike Pence. (They also erected gallows, but NBC News notes they were too small and weak to be used.) As New Yorks Jonathan Chait noted, Trump has explicitly justified the rioters desire to hang his vice-president. Heres the relevant exchange from Trumps November 2021 interview with Jonathan Karl:

Jonathan Karl: Were you worried about him during that siege? Were you worried about his safety?

Trump: No, I thought he was well-protected, and I had heard that he was in good shape. No. Because I had heard he was in very good shape. But, but, no, I think

Karl: Because you heard those chants that was terrible. I mean

Trump: He could have well, the people were very angry.

Karl: They were saying, Hang Mike Pence.

Trump: Because its common sense, Jon. Its common sense that youre supposed to protect. How can you if you know a vote is fraudulent, right? how can you pass on a fraudulent vote to Congress?

Yet, Pence has indicated that Trumps indifference to his supporters murderous intent hasnt soured their relationship. During a speech in New Hampshire last June, the ex-veep lambasted Democrats and the media for January 6, accusing them of using the insurrection to discredit the aspirations of millions of Americans. And he suggested he bears Trump no ill will in fact, they still talk all the time!

You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office, and I dont know if well ever see eye to eye on that day, Pence said. But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years.

Pence has repeated this claim a number of times since then. During an interview with the Ruthless podcast in September, he said of his relationship with Trump, Weve spoken probably a dozen times since the inauguration. And in an October appearance on Fox News, Pence told Sean Hannity, I can tell you that we parted amicably at the end of the administration, and we’ve talked a number of times since we both left office.

But are Pence and Trump still chatting up a storm? On Thursday, Fox News’s Jesse Watters asked Pence when he last spoke to Trump. His reply: You know, we talked last summer. Talked? Like one time during a particular season? That doesnt sound like theyve spoken dozens of times in the last year.

When was the last time Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke to Former President Trump? WATCH #FoxNews pic.twitter.com/4LWKvK3B0c

– Jesse Watters Primetime (@jesseprimetime) January 28, 2022

Maybe we should get a second source on the status of this friendship. What has Trump said about Pence since leaving the White House? Well, during his December tour with Bill OReilly, the former president remarked that Pence is no Thomas Jefferson and dismissed his political ambitions. I think Mike has been very badly hurt by what took place in respect to January 6, Trump said. I think hes been mortally wounded, frankly, because I see the reaction hes getting from people.

And in that March 2021 interview with Jonathan Karl, Trump said he thinks hed still be in the White House today if it werent for Pence. Can you ever forgive him for that? Karl asked. Trump responded, I dont know. Because I picked him. I like him. I still like him. But I dont know that I can forgive him.

Sounds like hes telling Pence theres a chance!

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