Key takeaways:
- Mike Pence wrote down Trump’s insult on Jan. 6.
- Notes were in Pence’s personal day planner.
- Special counsel Jack Smith planned to use them at trial.
- ABC’s Jonathan Karl revealed the notes in his new book.
- These Pence notes fill a gap in the Jan. 6 historical record.
Pence notes reveal Trump’s harsh words
On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence grabbed his day planner and began scribbling. He wrote down every tense word from his call with President Trump. In Retribution, Jonathan Karl’s upcoming book, these previously unpublished Pence notes finally appear. According to the notes, Trump told Pence, “You’ll go down as a wimp” if he failed to block Joe Biden’s election certification. Pence also recorded Trump saying, “You listen to the wrong people,” and even drew a rough angry face after that jab.
These Pence notes date to just before Trump’s “Save America” rally on the Ellipse. As Trump prepared to take the stage, he berated Pence for refusing to overturn the election. Pence added another quote from the call: “If you do that, I made a big mistake 5 years ago.” These simple scribbles capture a private moment few knew existed—until now.
More context from the Pence notes
Special counsel Jack Smith gathered terabytes of evidence for a potential trial against Trump. Among that evidence lay Pence’s handwritten notes. Prosecutors planned to use them to show Trump’s pressure on the vice president. Alongside the notes, Smith had a forensic copy of Trump’s phone records and draft rally speeches. Those drafts reportedly included last-minute changes that singled out Pence. However, after Trump won re-election, the case was dismissed and the materials stayed hidden.
Now, the Pence notes emerge to fill that gap. They offer a fresh window into the hours before the Capitol was stormed. They also illustrate the personal conflict at the heart of Trump’s orbit. Moreover, these notes underscore how close America came to a constitutional crisis.
Why these Pence notes matter
First, the Pence notes reveal Trump’s mindset on the brink of chaos. They show a president openly insulting his own vice president. Second, they prove that Pence faced direct threats to his role. Third, they restore part of the Jan. 6 timeline lost when legal proceedings ended too soon.
Beyond legal drama, the notes humanize both Trump and Pence. The angry emoji sketch adds a real-life touch to a moment that once felt distant. Readers can now envision Pence’s reaction as he jotted down every word. At the same time, they glimpse Trump’s frustration boiled down into two blunt insults.
Finally, the release of these Pence notes keeps Jan. 6 in public view. They remind us that upholding democracy can bring even close allies into conflict. Mike Pence stood firm, despite the insults. His notes now stand as proof of that resolve.
Looking ahead
Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign that Changed America promises more untold stories. As readers dive into Jonathan Karl’s book, they’ll find new angles on the Jan. 6 saga. These Pence notes will likely spark fresh debate among historians, legal experts, and everyday readers. They show that even brief scribbles can shift how we remember a day that shook the nation.
FAQs
What exactly did the Pence notes say?
They quote Trump calling Pence a “wimp” and warning him he “listens to the wrong people.” Pence wrote these lines in his planner on Jan. 6.
Who planned to use the Pence notes in court?
Special counsel Jack Smith intended to present them as evidence in a trial against Trump for his actions around Jan. 6.
Why weren’t the Pence notes public before?
After Trump’s re-election, the case against him was dropped. The materials, including the Pence notes, stayed sealed until the new book release.
How do the Pence notes change our view of Jan. 6?
They offer a private glimpse into Trump’s pressure tactics against his vice president. This adds depth to our understanding of the crisis’s internal conflicts.