Will Trump Supporters Election Denialism Cause Another January 6?
While Mike Pences damaged relationship with Donald Trump appears to be on the mend, the conservative base wont let go of its bitter grudge against the former vice president. Pence, who was slammed by Trump during his final months in office for not sufficiently supporting the stolen election narrative, was booed on Friday while speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Kissimmee, Florida. Shouts, jeers, and a cry of traitor were heard from the audience as Pence took to the podium to discuss the GOPs plan to retake the House and Senate. At least one attendee who tried shouting Pence off the stage was reportedly ejected from the event. Since Pence chose not to back Trump in his attempt to overturn Joe Bidens victory, he has continued to face backlash from the former president's supporters. Pence, who was evacuated from the U.S. Capitol amid the January 6 riot, was a primary target of the pro-Trump mob seeking to stop the elections certification; at one point the crowd began chanting, hang Mike Pence. For his part, Pence recently said of the January 6 riot, You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office, and I dont know if well ever see eye to eye on that day.  Still, Pence has not stopped praising Trump and his administration, possibly as a ploy to help himself in 2024. They are in a better place now. Things have simmered down after being pretty raw for awhile, a former Trump campaign official told CNN this month. Club for Growth president and Pence ally David McIntosh added, I think he realizes that his path if hes running for president is open if Trump does not run, and that its a smart move for him to minimize the distinctions between himself and the former president.  The ongoing animus toward Pence suggests Trumpworld hasnt yet resigned itself to the fact that its figurehead lost the 2020 election and left Washington in disgrace. And that sentiment is likely to rear up again in the coming days and weeks, as Arizonas Republican-held Senate wraps up its election review, focused on Maricopa County, in which more than 2 million ballots were recounted by hand. The audit wont change the election results. But the fact that its happening at alland that supporters of the former president have demanded similar recounts in other battleground statesbenefits Trump as he continues to sow doubt about the legitimacy of Bidens win and the electoral system as a whole. Trump himself is publicly encouraging the agita. Its going to be a very interesting time in our country. Because I meanhow do you govern when you lost? he recently said. On June 5, at the North Carolina GOP convention, he personally thanked the Republican state senators in Arizona and other places for their great work that they are doing in exposing this frauda claim that undermined statements from officials in the former presidents own administration who described the 2020 election as the most secure in American history.  Some worry that the audits conclusion could lead to a charged environment similar to the one that preceded January 6, particularly if Trump weighs in on results. There are concerning parallels, noted CNN correspondent Donie OSullivan over the weekend. Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now.