New book: Pence’s wife refused to say hello to Trump on election night

Karen Pence refused to greet President Trump on election night 2016 amid a tense mood at Trump campaign headquarters, according to a new book.

Vice President Pence went to kiss his wife after Pennsylvania was called in favor of Trump, according to an excerpt published Thursday in The Guardian from author Michael Lewis’s book, “The Fifth Risk.” 

“You got what you wanted, Mike. Now leave me alone,” she reportedly said, turning away from her husband.

This is quite the Michael Lewis paragraph. pic.twitter.com/BWHQvsHNUE

— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) September 27, 2018

{mosads}Lewis also wrote that Karen Pence wouldn’t say hello to Trump at the gathering. He added that Trump sat staring at the television as the results came in without saying anything.

The vice president’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lewis’s book is not the first time reporting has surfaced to suggest Karen Pence has a tense relationship with the president.

An Atlantic profile of Pence published earlier this year quoted a former campaign aide who said the second lady was “disgusted” after an “Access Hollywood” video surfaced in which Trump brags about groping women without their consent.

The aide said Karen Pence finds Trump “reprehensible,” though the vice president’s office denied the characterization.

Karen Pence has not publicly criticized Trump, and Vice President Pence has been unwavering in his support of the president and his policies.

Lewis is the author of “Moneyball” and “The Big Short,” and his newest book is set to be released on Oct. 2. It is based on his reporting on how the departments of Energy, Commerce and Agriculture have fared under the Trump administration, but explores the events surrounding the president’s election, according to The New York Times.