'Shut up, shill': Mike Pence's call for calm spurs MAGA meltdown

Former Vice President Mike Pence triggered a MAGA meltdown Monday when he applauded President Joe Biden's decision to step down and called on former President Donald Trump to simmer.

"President Joe Biden made the right decision for our country and I thank him for putting the interests of our Nation ahead of his own," Pence wrote. "Now is a time for leaders in both parties to project calm and send a message of strength and resolve to America’s friends and enemies alike that, whatever the state of our politics, the American people are strong."

Pence's public statement, posted on X about 10 a.m., was read more than 70,000 times and received nearly 300 replies in 20 minutes after his call for calm went live.

Many comments came from MAGA supporters who publicly seethed at the former vice president who refused to overturn an election Trump lost in 2020 and then refused to endorse him in 2024.

"This is why we consider you a traitor, Mike," wrote conservative commentator Joey Mannarino. "F--- off."

"Praising Biden, pathetic," wrote the Association for Mature American Citizens, the conservative alternative to AARP and a major Turning Point USA event sponsor.

"We are only in this mess because of you," wrote X user Freedom, a self-described MAGA fan with nearly 50,000 followers. "So shut the f--- up."

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"You failed me as Vice President Mike," wrote a Trump parody account with 13,000 followers. "Endorse me!"

Pence's message also inspired praise from readers such as Tomer Rosenberg, who applauded the call for "unity and strength" and was quickly told to "Shut up, shill."

The message — or responses to it — also provoked some mirth.

"I won't lie," wrote National Security attorney Bradley Moss. "I am enjoying reading the replies to this statement."

"Summary of replies," wrote X user Jon H. "Go away. We hate you. If you just would’ve committed some measly crimes during the 2020 election, we wouldn’t be in this mess."