former Vice President Mike Pence has once again publicly criticized President Donald Trump, this time over Trump’s comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The tension between the two former running mates has been escalating in recent months, with Pence increasingly distancing himself from Trump and aligning more closely with establishment voices.
The latest clash began when Trump took to social media to express his views on the Ukraine-Russia war, calling Zelensky a “dictator” and suggesting that the Ukrainian leader wants to keep the “gravy train” of U.S. funding going. Trump argued that Zelensky, a former comedian, had convinced the U.S. to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on a war that “couldn’t be won” and “never had to start.” He also claimed that half of the money sent to Ukraine is “missing” and criticized Zelensky for refusing to hold elections, citing low approval ratings and the devastation of Ukraine as reasons for his harsh assessment.
Trump emphasized that his administration is working to broker a peace deal with Russia, something he believes only he can achieve. “Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring peace, and Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going,” Trump said. He concluded by expressing his love for Ukraine but lamenting the millions of lives lost and the shattered state of the country.
Pence, however, quickly fired back, echoing criticisms from mainstream media and accusing Trump of misrepresenting the situation. “Mr. President, Ukraine did not ‘start’ this war. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. The Road to Peace must be built on the Truth,” Pence said. While Trump never explicitly stated that Zelensky started the war, Pence’s response seemed aimed at countering Trump’s broader narrative that Ukraine bears some responsibility for the conflict.
This isn’t the first time Pence has taken aim at Trump. In recent months, he has ramped up his criticisms, including urging Republican senators to block Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate confirmation and expressing opposition to Trump’s potential pardons for January 6 defendants. Pence’s growing willingness to publicly oppose Trump has led some to speculate about his motives. Is he positioning himself as a more traditional Republican alternative to Trump’s populist approach? Or is there more to his sudden outspokenness?
Trump’s supporters have been quick to dismiss Pence’s criticisms, accusing him of aligning with establishment figures and media outlets that have long opposed Trump. Some have even suggested that Pence’s actions could be driven by ulterior motives, such as financial incentives or a desire to curry favor with anti-Trump factions within the GOP.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, the rift between Trump and Pence is likely to grow. Trump remains a dominant force within the Republican Party, but Pence’s increasingly vocal opposition highlights the ongoing struggle between the party’s populist and establishment wings. Whether Pence’s criticisms will gain traction or further alienate him from Trump’s base remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the once-close partnership between Trump and Pence has fractured, and the fallout is far from over.
