- Former VP Mike Pence rode a Harley-Davidson for the “Roast and Journey” occasion in Iowa on Saturday.
- He is ridden Harleys at different occasions through the years. It is unclear if the bikes have been his or borrowed.
- Pence is anticipated to formally announce his 2024 bid for the White Home subsequent week.
Former Vice President Mike Pence rode into the Iowa state fairgrounds on a Harley on Saturday, grinning broadly as he hopped off the hog.
Politics reporters noted that he was the one (virtually official) 2024 presidential contender who really rode with Sen. Joni Ernst in her annual “Roast and Journey” occasion. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (accompanied by his spouse and kids) arrived in an SUV.
Many on-line questioned Pence’s avenue cred, inflicting his identify to trend on Twitter Saturday evening.
Pence has ridden bikes at previous occasions, together with a veterans fundraiser when he was governor of Indiana in 2016.
Joseph Cress/Iowa Metropolis Press-Citizen by way of AP
It is unclear whether or not he owns the bike he rode on Saturday, which regarded like a Harley Road Glide.
When the Pences bought a pet in 2017, they named it Harley: “I requested my spouse for a motorbike and I bought a pet, so I named it Harley,” The Indianapolis Star reported Pence joked on the time.
Joseph Cress/Iowa Metropolis Press-Citizen by way of AP
In older images of Pence driving bikes at occasions, he all the time appears to put on the identical outfit: cowboy boots, blue denims, a leather-based vest with patches, and — in fact — a helmet.
He rode a distinct Harley previous Indiana cornfields in the course of the 2016 presidential marketing campaign whereas sporting the identical look.
AP Picture/Michael Conroy
In 2018, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based firm introduced it could transfer some jobs overseas due to former President Donald Trump’s commerce warfare. Trump tweeted, “Harley should know that they will not be capable of promote again into U.S. with out paying a giant tax!”
After being requested concerning the tweet, then-VP Pence informed reporters: “Our goal is to see Harley-Davidson, and each American firm, develop jobs proper right here in America.”
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photographs
A spokesperson for Pence did not instantly reply Insider’s questions on his Harley historical past.
