Trump explains why Pence would not be his V.P. if he runs in 2024

Former President Donald Trump strongly suggested that he would not choose former Vice President Mike Pence as his running mate if he chooses to run in 2024 and won the Republican primary.

“I don’t think the people would accept it,” Trump told the Washington Examiner in an exclusive telephone interview Tuesday.

Trump cited Pence’s decision to go ahead and certify the results of the 2020 election, which the former president claims was stolen from him. As vice president, Pence also served as the Senate president who presides over the congressional certification process.

The former president called “really fine person” but signaled their relationship might be irrevocably broken, according to the Examiner.

“Mike and I had a great relationship except for the very important factor that took place at the end. We had a very good relationship,” Trump said. “I haven’t spoken to him in a long time.”

Trump is the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, winning the recent Conservative Political Action Conference’s straw poll with 59% of the vote. Several key GOP figures have ruled out running or said they would support Trump if he runs, such as Nikki Haley, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Josh Hawley (R-MO).

There have been reports of friction between Trump and popular Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, which both men have denied. The former president has suggested DeSantis would make a good vice president for him in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Former V.P. Pence is also considering a 2024 bid and has taken actions to distance himself from Trump since the two left the White House in 2021. He recently told a gathering of conservative lawyers that Trump was mistaken in claiming the vice president is constitutionally empowered to throw out the results of a presidential election, reports the Examiner.

Trump has made strong allusions to running in 2024 but continues to avoid saying so outright.