Mike Pence’s stiff demeanor during a White House meeting was compared to Elf on the Shelf, a wax figure and some even wondered if he was awake ... or still alive

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

There were several moments of sustained silence as the frowning leaders of the United States, sitting stiffly and surrounded by cameras, waited for a very important meeting to start.



That would be the least awkward part of the heated exchange that followed between Chuck Schumer, the US Senate Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, and Donald Trump – in which the president said he would be proud to shut down the government over his demands for a border wall.

Trump vows to shut down government in heated public row with Democrats Read more

The most awkward part was the vice-president, Mike Pence, who, it seemed, did not want to be there. There was some blinking and maybe some thinking. But mostly, there was a whole lot of sitting and even more staring.

The internet was quick to poke fun at his statue-like pose and blank expression. Memes began to spread and by Tuesday afternoon, “Mike Pence” was trending on Twitter.

Steven Beschloss (@StevenBeschloss) Prior to this meeting, Madame Tussaud’s rolled in this Mike Pence wax figure. pic.twitter.com/frH4FEG49U

Some turned Pence’s pensiveness into something special.

Scott Dworkin (@funder) I can’t stop watching this video of today’s Oval Office meeting—it zooms in to Pence with the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme song playing in the background. pic.twitter.com/mU2F2O7zkf

The vice-president took only short breaks from his transfixed gaze on Pelosi to silently turn his head toward Schumer. Not even a joke at the expense of the Washington Post, which Trump directed at the vice-president, could conjure Pence from his trance.

Jessica Huseman (@JessicaHuseman) We go live to Mike Pence pic.twitter.com/hWOo3qLemu

Pence was compared to the “Elf on the Shelf”, a voyeuristic Christmas toy; deemed the worst member of the improv team; and some even wondered if he was still alive.

(((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) This photo was really from the Trump-Pelosi-Schumer fight today. Can someone please check to see if Mike Pence is actually still alive or is this a "Weekend at Bernies" type scenario where they just prop up Pence at meetings. pic.twitter.com/EX1qJvP5ft

Amid the political theater of the Trump administration, perhaps all Americans can make like our vice-president, shrink into our chairs, and hope everyone stops yelling soon. Until then, at least there’s the internet.