Key Takeaways:

• Mike Pence experienced a brief encounter with Donald Trump at Jimmy Carter's funeral.
• Pence noted a message of hope was perceived through their handshake, reflecting on their past differences.
• Karen Pence's intentional refusal to engage with Trump has sparked conversations about their personal dynamics.

In a recent interview, former Vice President Mike Pence recounted his handshake with Donald Trump at the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, emphasizing a moment of connection amidst past tensions. Pence described the exchange, stating, "I stood up, extended my hand. He shook my hand. I said, 'Congratulations, Mr. President,' and he said, 'Thanks, Mike'" ([HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-pence-trump-meeting_n_6784d834e4b02f7e0ad837ca)). He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak with Trump, especially given their fraught history following the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol events, which had led many to blame him for Trump's election loss.

Pence highlighted the significance of their handshake, saying that many people across the country saw it as a sign of hope for moving beyond their challenging past, reinforcing his belief that "we might be moving past those difficult days" ([HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-pence-karen-pence-trump-snub-question_n_6784f0f9e4b02f7e0ad84580)). However, a different narrative unfolded concerning his wife, Karen Pence, who notably did not shake hands with either Trump or his wife, Melania Trump during the event.

When questioned about her lack of acknowledgment of Trump, Mike Pence deferred his wife's reasoning to her own expression, 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" ([India Times](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/mike-pence-reacts-to-wifes-intentional-snub-to-donald-trump-she-loves-her-husband/articleshow/117174796.cms)). This gesture, or lack thereof, has drawn attention and speculation regarding their personal views on Trump following the tumultuous years of political division.

While Pence is optimistic about moving forward, the contrasting reactions from him and his wife reveal the lingering complexities surrounding their relationship with Trump and the overall political landscape of the United States.