Mike Pence avoids mention of Donald Trump in post about debate. Here's what he did say

Former Vice President Mike Pence responded to the first presidential debate between Donald Trump — his former running mate — and current President Joe Biden with a post on X, formerly Twitter, Friday morning.

Pence, who has said he won't endorse Trump in 2024, was referenced by Biden a few times during the debate.

Pence called Biden's performance a "sad spectacle," but stopped short of offering any positive feedback for Trump.

He also spoke to world beyond U.S. borders via the tweet, saying: "But as this presidential election plays out before a watching world, our allies and enemies need to know — whatever the condition of our current American leadership — the American people are strong, our military is the strongest in the history of the world and that any nation that wishes us 'well or ill' can be assured, as President Kennedy said, the American people are always prepared to 'pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.'”

Foreign powers' view of the United States' strength was a point of contention between Trump and Biden in Thursday's debate.

Pence has been relatively quiet since dropping out of the race for president in October. He has been critical of Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results since Jan. 6, 2021. Trump supporters demanded that the then-vice president block the certification of the election results.

Pence blamed Trump for endangering his and his family's lives in his memoir "So Help Me God."

Tyler Spence is a Pulliam Fellow primarily covering business. He can be contacted at [email protected]