No, Mike Pence Did Not Endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz—Viral Video Misleading
3 min read
Siavosh Hosseini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
A viral video making rounds on social media has sparked confusion, claiming that former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence endorsed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The clip, shared by X user @Luciferjesi on October 13, 2024, alleged that Pence voiced his support for the Democratic candidates. The user’s post, accompanied by the caption “Drumroll please….. Pence endorses VP Harris & Governor Walz,” quickly gained traction, misleading many viewers. However, a closer look reveals that the video was manipulated, distorting Pence’s actual statement.
The Viral Video: What Was Shown
In the viral video, Mike Pence is purportedly heard saying, “Vote for Kamala Harris as President of the United States or Tim Walz as her running man.” The video also falsely suggests that Pence had publicly stated he wouldn’t be supporting former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. This created a significant stir, as Pence’s supposed endorsement of Democratic candidates would mark a surprising political shift.
However, upon investigation, it became clear that the video had been doctored. The clip was taken from Pence’s appearance at The Gathering
🎯💙💙💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/H9knvcbKaR
— Jesi 🔥🃏♠️ (@Luciferjesi) October 13, 2024
What Mike Pence Actually Said
Fact-checking site Snopes debunked the viral claim, confirming that the video misrepresented Pence’s statements. In his original speech at The Gathering, Pence had said the exact opposite of what the clipped video suggested. His actual words were, “I could never vote for Kamala Harris as President of the United States or Tim Walz as her running mate. Period paragraph.” This statement, made during a conversation with Erick Erickson, underscored Pence’s rejection of Harris and Walz, firmly distancing himself from the Democratic ticket.
The video clip circulating on social media was a classic example of misinformation, edited in a way that reversed Pence’s original meaning, thereby creating false impressions among viewers. Although the video was altered, one element remained true: Pence did reiterate that he would not be endorsing Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Pence’s Position on the 2024 Election
Mike Pence, who served as Vice President under Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021, has made it clear that he does not intend to endorse his former running mate in the upcoming election. During his interview at The Gathering, Pence expressed his concern about the direction the Republican Party was taking, particularly regarding foreign policy and fiscal responsibility. He emphasized his stance on staying out of the 2024 presidential race, citing differences with both the Democratic and Republican agendas.
In a separate interview with Fox News in March 2024, Pence explained why he would not be supporting Trump, pointing to fundamental disagreements over issues like the national debt and the sanctity of life. He noted that while he wouldn’t endorse Trump, his vote would remain private. However, Pence also clarified that he would not be casting his ballot for Joe Biden, the current Democratic president.
The viral video claiming that Mike Pence endorsed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz is entirely false. The clip was edited to mislead viewers, twisting Pence’s actual remarks. In reality, Pence has firmly rejected both the Democratic candidates and Donald Trump, choosing to stay out of the 2024 election. As the misinformation spreads online, it’s crucial to fact-check sources and rely on verified information rather than manipulated content.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
