Mike Pence says his 'conscience' won't allow him to endorse Donald Trump, Internet calls him 'traitor'

WASHINGTON, DC: Former vice president Mike Pence faced a renewed backlash online after a resurfaced clip highlighting his refusal to endorse former president Donald Trump went viral on Tuesday, September 3.

Pence had previously declined to back his former running mate, citing his "conscience" as the reason.

Mike Pence's refusal of Donald Trump's endorsement

The relationship between Mike Pence and Sonald Trump deteriorated after the January 6 riots, during which Trump criticized Pence for not sending disputed electoral votes back to state legislatures in his role as President of the Senate.

In March, Mike Pence publicly announced that he would not endorse Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. During an appearance on Fox News' 'The Story,' Pence stated, "It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year."

The former vice president’s decision was attributed to what he described as Trump's pursuit of an agenda that conflicted with conservative principles.

In the clip that recently resurfaced and gained traction online, Pence said, "Trump is pursuing & articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda. I cannot, in good conscience, endorse Donald Trump."

Despite his refusal to endorse Trump, Pence did not rule out the possibility of voting for him, stating, "I have different styles. We’re different men. … And as I said before, it’s not personal," in response to Margaret Brennan's questions about his voting intentions.

He also said at the time he wouldn't be ever voting for Joe Biden either who was running for reelection as president at the time. 

Donald Trump earns ridicule for claiming Kamala Harris mistreated Mike Pence

The video resurfaces amid Donald Trump's recent comments on the treatment Mike Pence received from Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday.

During an interview with Fox News, Trump remarked, "They say she has many deficiencies, but she’s a nasty person. The way she treated Mike Pence was horrible. The way she treats people is horrible. The way she treated Justice Kavanaugh in that hearing – in the history of Congress, nobody’s been treated that way."

While Trump did not specify the incident he was referring to, he was likely alluding to the 2020 vice-presidential debate where Harris and Pence clashed, reports Newsweek.

Despite these remarks, Trump himself has been widely criticized for his treatment of Pence, particularly in the aftermath of the January 6 riots.

Mike Pence receives renewed backlash on social media from Donald Trump's supporters

Mike Pence's decision not to endorse Donald Trump has been met with sharp criticism from the former president's supporters.

Some Republicans took to social media to express their discontent with the former Vce President's stance.

One user on X reposted the clip with the comment, "Thank you, Mike. We don't want backstabbers and disloyal pieces of feces like you endorsing Trump. Pence is a TRAITOR!"

Another user remarked, "No one. NO ONE was waiting to hear from Mike Pence in order to know who to vote for. All of this points back to a so-called Elite that cannot overcome their own issues about one man, just once, in order to help alleviate the suffering of the American people. Shame on him."

Some users even suggested that Pence’s lack of endorsement could work in Trump’s favor. "Mike Pence says he will NOT endorse Donald Trump. This is actually the best endorsement Donald Trump has received thus far!" wrote another commenter.

"Mike Pence is not a good person. He should be ashamed of himself," wrote another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online