Karen Pence Skips Donald Trump’s Inauguration Days After Snubbing Him at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

The former second lady sent her husband, Mike Pence, to the inauguration on his own after recently declining to greet Donald and Melania Trump during a state funeral

After declining to greet President-elect Donald Trump at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, former second lady Karen Pence also chose to skip his inauguration.

As former Vice President Mike Pence, 65, arrived at the Capitol Rotunda for the inauguration, his wife, Karen, 68, was notably absent.

Her absence came just days after the Trumps and Pences crossed paths for the first time in nearly four years at former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral on Jan. 9. At the service, Mike stood to shake hands with Donald and Melania, 54, exchanging a few words.

However, Karen remained seated, appearing uninterested in talking with her husband’s estranged ex-boss and his wife.

The strained relationship between the Trumps and Pences dates back to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, when the 45th president took to X and accused his vice president of lacking “the courage”  to reject the certification of the electoral college votes after he lost the 2020 election. A mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, with some chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” as they attempted to halt the certification.

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In 2023, Pence stated that “[Trump’s] reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day.”

He added, “I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”

Trump later called Pence “delusional” and “not a very good person.”

Karen is not the only notable figure to skip the inauguration. Former first lady Michelle Obama and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi were also absent.

A source close to Michelle, 61, told PEOPLE earlier in January that Michelle’s absence was driven by her views of Trump.

“There’s no overstating her feelings about [Trump]. She’s not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocol’s sake,” the source explained. “Michelle doesn’t do anything because it’s expected or it’s protocol or it’s tradition.”

The source added, “She served in the public eye and did all the public good that she could for eight years as first lady. You’ll see her when she has a project or cause to promote but she doesn’t feel the need to be a public figure anymore.”

During the 2020 campaign, Karen had spoken positively of the now-reelected president.

“Under the leadership of President Trump and Vice President Pence — I have to put his name in there, too — we are getting things done,” she said.