Late Night Chortles Over 'Motionless' Mike Pence

The vice president was at the Trump-Pelosi-Schumer meeting and ... oddly quiet
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 12, 2018 9:09 AM CST

Things got heated Tuesday during an Oval Office meeting on border security between President Trump and Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. But while their interaction was intense enough to earn a spot in the late-night rounds, VP Mike Pence didn't escape notice—despite doing his best job to not be noticed. One comment likened his role to "a 'Weekend at Bernies' type scenario" in which he was propped up in the chair like the famous movie corpse. As the Washington Post and Hollywood Reporter note, the late-night hosts didn't let Pence, who at times looked like he was drifting off in his own mind, get away with trying to blend into the wallpaper:

  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!: The host pointed out the "best part" of the Oval Office showdown: "Mike Pence—just sitting there quietly—patiently waiting to be president, not saying a word."

  • Late Night With Seth Meyers: During the meeting, Schumer railed against Trump for incessantly talking about shuttering the government if he didn't get border funding. Which led to Meyers' quip: "I guess when Schumer said 'shutdown,' Pence took him literally."
  • The Daily Show: Trevor Noah's take on a "pretty weird Mike Pence," whom he called his "favorite part of this awkward threesome," was that he was either daydreaming—about a Handmaid's Tale-like world, naturally, per the thought bubble the Daily Show attached to Pence's head—or stoned: "He just sat there motionless, like a guy whose edibles just kicked in."
  • The Late Show: Stephen Colbert provided a voice-over for what he imagined was going on inside the VP's head, which, per Colbert, included thinking about what he'd like for dinner ("boiled potatoes") and his own future turn in the White House, which would lead to the "Michael Pence Presidential Library and Casino." "I wonder if I sit real still if people will even notice I'm here," "Pence" pondered. "I'm a manila envelope taped to a beige wall. No one can see me." (Pence made waves over a "do not touch" sign.)

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