Vice President Mike Pence said he fully supports U.S. Olympic men’s figure skater Adam Rippon despite a report alleging complicated relations between the conservative politician and gay athlete.
“.@Adaripp I want you to know we are FOR YOU. Don’t let fake news distract you. I am proud of you and ALL OF OUR GREAT athletes and my only hope for you and all of #TeamUSA is to bring home the gold. Go get ’em!” Pence tweeted early Thursday Washington morning.
.@Adaripp I want you to know we are FOR YOU. Don’t let fake news distract you. I am proud of you and ALL OF OUR GREAT athletes and my only hope for you and all of #TeamUSA is to bring home the gold. Go get ‘em!
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 8, 2018
On Wednesday, a USA Today reporter gave credit to a rumor that Pence had funded gay conversion therapy in 2000.
The outlet’s story contained a quote from Rippon in which he said, “You mean Mike Pence, the same Mike Pence that funded gay conversation therapy?”
“Headed to the Olympics to cheer on #TeamUSA. One reporter trying to distort 18 yr old nonstory to sow seeds of division. We won’t let that happen! #FAKENEWS. Our athletes are the best in the world and we are for ALL of them! #TEAMUSA,” Pence tweeted overnight Thursday.
Headed to the Olympics to cheer on #TeamUSA. One reporter trying to distort 18 yr old nonstory to sow seeds of division. We won’t let that happen! #FAKENEWS. Our athletes are the best in the world and we are for ALL of them! #TEAMUSA
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 8, 2018
Pence and his wife, Karen, traveled to South Korea overnight where the Olympic Winter Games will start this week. Pence is leading the U.S. delegation.
USA Today also insinuated Pence’s office was engaged in a “battle” with Rippon after the figure skater allegedly turned down a Jan. 17 request from Pence’s office to meet in South Korea.
Pence’s office has previously denied that they tried to set up a meeting with Rippon.
“The USA Today report is false and should be corrected. The Vice President’s office did not reach out to set up a conversation with Mr. Rippon. As we’ve said before, the vice president is supporting all the U.S. athletes in the Olympics and is hoping they all win medals,” Jarrod Agen, Pence’s deputy chief of staff, said in a statement.
