'You absolute idiot': Mike Pence brutally mocked for 'Michael Dukakis moment' at a gas pump

08 August 2023

Former Republican Vice President Mike Pence released an advertisement for his 2024 presidential campaign Tuesday, announcing the energy plan he'll implement if elected.

Pence shared the ad via Twitter including a link to MikePence2024.com, writing, "Check out our Pence Plan."

In the video, the GOP hopeful says, "Hey everybody, Mike Pence here. Remember $2/gallon gas? I do. And then Joe Biden became President of the United States and launched his war on energy. Since that time, gas prices are up 60%. Electricity prices are up 25%. Joe Biden's war on energy is causing real hardship for working families, small businesses and family farms, but we've got a plan to relieve all of that. We just unveiled the Pence Energy Plan, that will not only put our country back on a path of energy independence, but by 2040, we will reclaim America's role as the leading producer of energy in the world. Join us in the fight American energy leadership by going to MikePence2024.com. We can lead the world once again to a more prosperous and secure future for America. With energy independence and American energy leadership."

Last year, New York Times' Linda Qui fact-checked Republican lawmakers' claim that Biden was behind increasing gas prices.

She interviewed several experts, reporting:

The primary reason for rising gas prices over the past year is the coronavirus pandemic and its disruptions to global supply and demand.

'Covid changed the game, not President Biden,' said Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, which tracks gasoline prices. 'U.S. oil production fell in the last eight months of President Trump’s tenure. Is that his fault? No.'

'The pandemic brought us to our knees,' Mr. De Haan added.

Qui also noted:

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has only compounded the issues.

'When you throw a war on top of this, this is possibly the worst escalation you can have of this,' said Abhiram Rajendran, the head of oil market research at Energy Intelligence, an energy information company. 'You're literally pouring gasoline on general inflationary pressure.'

In Pence's campaign ad, the 2024 GOP hopeful can be seen at a gas station pumping gas station preparing to pump gas into a red truck. However, the viewer can see that the former vice president never pays for the gas, nor does he select a grade of fuel before grabbing the pump and inserting it into the tank.

As the pump notifies Pence of his failure to choose a fuel grade by continuing to beep, the GOP hopeful proceeds to pretend to pump the gas.

Not long after the former vice president posted the ad to Twitter did Social media users — from progressives to former President Donald Trump MAGA supporters — brutally mock his acting skills.

Political strategist Joey Mandarino said: "You absolute idiot. You have to select the type of gas that you want before you stick the thing in the gas hole. Then, you have to press the lever to make the gas actually come out! Are you stupid? It's obvious you haven't pumped gas in years!"

NBCUniversal executive Mike Sington said: "Mike Pence fakes filling up a pickup with gas, has his Michael Dukakis moment."

NBC White House unit researcher commented: "While everyone is commenting about selecting the grade…I’m curious why the flap was already open!"

Republican political commentator Ian Haworth added: "Got to love the casual hand-on-hip-while-pumping-gas pose."

The Ringer/Spotify Head of Video Podcast Production @ProducerDanny added: "Surprised he didn't try to fill up a Tesla."

Ex-Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis said: "Pence is running for president in 1992 and this was probably filmed with a camcorder."

There were also quips from the public, such as:

Kim Fox, who commented: "Gasshole."

@liberalpuppy replied: "Dukakis had a chance…Pence never did…"

Rob Benson said: "But he's got his hand on his hip, so he must be serious."

Watch the video below or at this link.

New York Times' complete report is available at this link (subscription required).

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