Former Vice President Mike Pence has declined the invitation to attend this year’s Conservative political action conference, Fox News has learned.
According to a source familiar with the planning of the event, Pence was invited to speak at the annual event.
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Former President Donald Trump will attend, however, as he plans to make his first major public appearance since leaving office.
Two sources told Fox News Trump plans to address the conference on Sunday, February 28th. The event will begin Thursday in Orlando, Florida.
Members of Pence’s team said Pence harbored a bit of “bitterness” towards Trump after the January 6 riot at the Capitol building.
Chris Fox, host of Fox News Sunday, reported earlier this month that Trump’s failure to turn off the mob and ensure the safety of his loyal second commander was the ‘ultimate betrayal’.
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However, Pence’s former chief of staff, Marc Short, told Fox News on Friday that Pence and Trump are still talking.
Trump is expected to talk about the future of the Republican Party and the Conservative movement. Also look to him to tackle President Biden’s ‘disastrous amnesty and border policy’, according to a source familiar with Trump’s speech.
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The former president has remained relatively quiet since leaving the White House on January 20, but has indicated he wants to remain politically active and has told his supporters after the acquittal for the accusation of the MAGA movement remains strong.
“Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to make America great again (MAGA) has just begun,” Trump said in a statement last week. “In the coming months, I have a lot to share with you, and I look forward to continuing our incredible journey to achieve American greatness for all our people. There has never been such a thing!”
Mark Meredith, Marisa Schultz and Yael Halon of Fox News contributed to this report.