Trump Calls Pence ‘Mortally Wounded’ Because He Affirmed Election Results

Former President Donald Trump said on Saturday that former Vice President Mike Pence was “mortally wounded” by allowing Congress to certify the 2020 election results.

Trump appeared at a stop on Bill O’Reilly‘s History Tour in Sunrise, Florida this weekend. At the event, Trump emphasized his false claim that the election was fraudulent and blamed Pence for his defeat.

Trump told the audience, “Mike should have sent those crooked votes back to the legislatures and you would have had a different result in the election, in my opinion.”

Though Trump and his supporters had called for Pence to stymie the election certification, Pence affirmed the results on Jan. 6. Pence has continually asserted that he did not have the constitutional authority to reject state-certified electoral votes.

Trump suggested on Saturday that Pence’s political career has suffered as a result of his failure to impede the election certification on Jan. 6.

“I think Mike has been very badly hurt by what took place in respect to January 6. I think he’s been mortally wounded, frankly, because I see the reaction he’s getting from people,” Trump said.

During the Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol, many protestors chanted “Hang Mike Pence” due to the then-Vice President’s defiance of Trump and his role in validating President Joe Biden‘s victory. Pence was able to escape the Senate when the insurrectionists succeeded in entering the Capitol.

Pence has recently sparked speculation that he may be planning a 2024 presidential campaign. Though he has not confirmed plans to run, he has made multiple stops in New Hampshire and other key primary states, sparking rumors of an intended presidential bid.

When asked by O’Reilly if he would choose Pence as his running mate in 2024, Trump avoided answering explicitly. He replied to the question on Saturday stating that there are many options from which to choose, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.