Mike Pence’s Handwritten Notes Reveal the Insult Donald Trump Used in Their Final Conversation Before the Jan. 6 Riots
In a revelation that brings new perspective to one of the most tense moments in recent U.S. history, former Vice President Mike Pence’s handwritten notes have shed light on his final phone call with then-President Donald Trump just hours before the January 6th Capitol riot. The notes, made public by journalist and author Jonathan Karl, capture a private exchange that reportedly ended with a sharp insult—one that reflected the deep divide between the two men as the nation stood on the edge of chaos.
According to Karl’s reporting for ABC News and his upcoming book, Pence documented key moments from his conversation with Trump on the morning of January 6, 2021—the day Congress was scheduled to certify Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. During that call, Trump allegedly lashed out at Pence after realizing that the vice president intended to uphold the results and reject Trump’s request to block certification. The exact words, as noted by Pence, allegedly included an insult questioning his courage and loyalty, implying that Pence was “too honest” to do what Trump wanted him to do.
Those words reportedly landed heavily. Pence, known for his calm demeanor and loyalty during their four years together, stood firm on his constitutional duty. He made it clear that he did not have the legal authority to overturn the results of a free and fair election. The phone call, as his notes suggest, marked the end of a once-strong political partnership that had defined much of Trump’s presidency.
What happened afterward is now part of history. Within hours, as Congress convened, Trump addressed his supporters near the White House, repeating false claims about a stolen election and urging them to “fight like hell.” The crowd marched to the U.S. Capitol, where chaos unfolded—windows shattered, offices were looted, and lawmakers were forced into hiding. As rioters stormed the Senate chamber, some chanted threats against Pence, believing he had betrayed the president.
At that same moment, Pence was inside the Capitol, being escorted to safety by Secret Service agents. While Trump posted messages on social media criticizing his vice president, Pence was focused on the certification process that would soon resume under his direction. By nightfall, despite the violence and fear, he returned to the Senate floor and presided over the formal confirmation of Biden’s victory.
Jonathan Karl’s report, along with Pence’s notes, paints a vivid picture of a breaking point between two men who once stood side by side through countless political battles. Their final conversation was not just a disagreement about power—it was a moral and constitutional clash that symbolized the growing strain between loyalty to a leader and loyalty to the law.
Since leaving office, both men have spoken publicly about that day, each offering vastly different interpretations. Trump has continued to defend his actions and maintains that Pence could have “sent the votes back to the states.” Pence, on the other hand, has described the day as one of the darkest in American history and emphasized that he acted to uphold his oath to the Constitution, not to any individual.
Their fractured relationship has continued to echo through the political landscape. Pence’s decision to distance himself from Trump has shaped his own post-White House path, from speaking engagements to his brief presidential campaign in 2024. For many observers, the revelation of these handwritten notes offers more than just another headline—it serves as a reminder of how close the country came to a constitutional crisis, and how a few words exchanged in private can ripple through history.
More than three years later, the legacy of that day continues to influence American politics, courtrooms, and public discourse. The January 6 investigation, ongoing trials, and revelations like these notes show that the story is far from over. But through it all, Pence’s scribbled reflections offer a rare, unfiltered glimpse of one of the most pivotal moments in modern democracy—a conversation that may have lasted minutes but changed the course of the nation.
