Former Vice President Mike Pence’s presidential ambitions are an open secret — and it puts him on a collision course with former President Donald Trump, who has already launched his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
Pence appeared on Fox News’ Sean Hannity’s primetime show on Thursday night and hinted that he’s almost ready to formally declare his campaign.
And he won an unlikely backer: Trump’s former White House press secretary turned Fox News star Kayleigh McEnany, who heaped praise on Pence for his appearance.
Pence told Hannity that he and his wife Karen Pence were praying about the decision to enter the 2024 presidential race.
“We’re getting closer to a decision,” he said. “We’ve gotten a lot of encouragement around the country.”
“I think this country is in a lot of trouble… But the truth of the matter is we have to produce leadership in this country that will take our country back to the policies that left us stronger and more prosperous in the Trump-Pence years,” Pence told Hannity.
“And, if we can play a part in that, we will.”
McEnany took to social media to heap praise on Pence. While she didn’t offer a direct political endorsement, the intent was clear. In so many words, McEnany told her followers that Pence is a serious candidate worth their consideration.
Take a look —
Excellent interview with Vice President @Mike_Pence on @seanhannity
His patriotism, love for the country, and love for his Savior on full display.
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) March 24, 2023
In the run-up to his announcement, Pence has refused to say if he would back Trump if his former boss were to win the Republican presidential nominee in 2024.
“I think we’ll have better choices,” Pence said earlier this month. “I’m persuaded that no one could have defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 except Donald Trump, but I think we live in a different time and it calls for different leadership.”
“The American people want us to return to the policies of the Trump-Pence administration, but I think they want to see leadership that reflects more of the character of the American people: namely the commitment to principle and the civility that Americans show each other every day,” Pence said. “And so, if we enter the fray, we will offer that kind of leadership.”
The Horn editorial team