Jessica Tarlov Faces New Controversy For ‘Deranged’ . On Fox
Fox News Liberal commentator, Jessica Tarlov, is at the center of a new controversy following her remarks about Karen Pence’s interaction on Thursday, or lack thereof, with Melania Trump during the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. Tarlov described the moment when Pence refused to look at or acknowledge the Trumps as one of her “favorite moments” of the event. The incident occurred as the Trumps made their first public appearance since Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Karen Pence, wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, appeared to avoid shaking hands or even making eye contact with the incoming First Couple. While Melania Trump maintained her composure with a gracious smile, the apparent snub reignited chatter about the fractured relationship between the Trumps and Pences. Tarlov’s commentary, aired on Fox News, drew sharp reactions from viewers. “Two favorite moments, definitely [George] W. doing the little tummy pat on Obama, showing a real camaraderie between them. I thought that was very sweet. And the most interesting person to me was Karen Pence, who would not look up at Trump,” Tarlov said.
“She was head down, like, ‘If you think my husband should have been hanged for certifying the election results, I have no time for you.’” While her remarks aimed to critique Pence’s behavior, they instead fueled accusations of partisanship. “You know, Mike Pence obviously got up and shook hands, but that’s my take,” Tarlov finished. The backlash was immediate. Social media users slammed Tarlov for celebrating what they viewed as a petty act during a solemn occasion. The Pence-Trump relationship has been a focal point of political analysis since the 2020 election. Their partnership, once seen as a strong alliance, crumbled after January 6, 2021.
Trump’s insistence that Mike Pence block the certification of the Electoral College results led to a public split, with Pence refusing to comply, citing his constitutional duty. The fallout deepened as Trump supporters turned against Pence during the Capitol breach. Karen Pence’s apparent snub at the Carter funeral seemed to underscore the lingering bitterness. While Mike Pence shook hands with both Donald and Melania Trump, Karen Pence’s cold demeanor reignited questions about whether reconciliation between the two political families is possible.
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Mike Pence’s 2024 presidential run marked an effort to position himself as a steadfast conservative voice while distinguishing himself from his former running mate, Trump. Pence announced his candidacy in June 2023, pitching himself as a champion of traditional values, a constitutional conservative, and a figure of civility in the Republican primary. Pence’s campaign centered on issues like strengthening the economy, protecting religious freedom, securing the southern border, and opposing the radical left’s agenda. Despite his credentials, Pence struggled to gain traction in a GOP primary largely dominated by Trump’s influence.
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Polling consistently showed him in the low single digits, with many Republican voters viewing his break with Trump on January 6 as a liability rather than a strength. Pence’s reserved demeanor and emphasis on traditional conservatism also faced challenges in resonating with the party’s evolving base, which increasingly favored Trump’s combative style. In October, 2023, Pence suspended his campaign, acknowledging the difficulty of garnering enough support to compete effectively. Pence’s exit left questions about the future of his political career, as well as the viability of a more traditional conservative message in a Republican Party heavily shaped by Trump’s influence.
REACTIONS:
Admiring disrespect of Trump.
— Marc Menninger (@MarcMenninger) January 9, 2025
Tummy pat? What is she, a toddler?
— Cash Casey (@cassiuscasey) January 9, 2025
Long TDS
— 🇺🇸Victor🇺🇸 (@HistWByVictors) January 9, 2025
Long TDS
— 🇺🇸Victor🇺🇸 (@HistWByVictors) January 9, 2025
Really? @FoxNews You think this content from the squeaky intellectually inferior woman is what we want to see? GAG. Melania was in a beautiful Valentino and Indiana Pence was small and mean.
— Kay Mortensen (@kayLsibley) January 9, 2025