Trump shakes hands with Pence, engages Obama at Carter funeral

US president-elect Donald Trump greeted and shook hands on Thursday with his estranged former vice president Mike Pence, as current and former administrations gathered at the funeral of former US president Jimmy Carter in Washington.

Mr Trump and Mr Pence have had a strained relationship since the end of Mr Trump's first term, which ran from 2017 through 2021.

During that time, Mr Pence served Mr Trump loyally but refused Mr Trump's demand that he overturn his 2020 election defeat on January 6th, 2021. That day Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, with some chanting: m"Hang Mike Pence."

On Thursday at Mr Carter's funeral, Mr Pence sat behind Mr Trump, who was in the second row with other former presidents and first ladies, including former presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were in the first row.

Former vice president Al Gore was seated next to Mr Pence. As Mr Trump entered his row ahead of the funeral service, Mr Gore stood and shook Mr Trump's hand and then Mr Pence stood. Mr Trump extended his hand to Mr Pence.

Mr Trump and Mr Pence shook hands with little expression on their faces, and Mr Pence nodded. Mr Pence then shook the hand of Mr Trump's wife Melania before they all sat down. Mr Pence's wife Karen remained seated and did not acknowledge Mr Trump after he shook her husband's hand.

Mr Trump and Mr Obama spoke continuously ahead of the funeral service, with Mr Obama nodding seriously in response to Mr Trump before breaking into a grin. Former first lady Michelle Obama did not attend the funeral.

Former US president Barack Obama and US president-elect Donald Trump speak together ahead of the state funeral services for former president Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9th, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Ricky Carioti: Pool/Getty Images

Mr Pence did not endorse his former boss during last year's presidential election, which Mr Trump won over current vice president Kamala Harris, a Democrat.

On Januar 6th, 2021, Mr Pence refused Mr Trump's instructions to delay or halt the certification of current president Joe Biden's 2020 election win over Mr Trump, drawing an angry rebuke from Mr Trump during the riot.

Mr Pence has said that his life was put in danger that day, and he urged Republican primary voters not to choose Mr Trump as their White House candidate last year.