President Donald Trump was not invited to attend former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, according to Axios, while a source told CNN that Vice President JD Vance also did not receive an invitation.
Cheney died on November 3 at age 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. His family announced his passing earlier this month.
According to Axios, Trump’s exclusion marks a break from longstanding custom. Sitting presidents generally attend the funerals of former presidents and vice presidents, but the outlet noted that Cheney’s once cordial relationship with Trump deteriorated after the events of January 6, 2021. Cheney publicly criticized Trump in a 2022 ad supporting his daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney.
CNN reported that Vice President Vance was also left off the guest list for the invite-only memorial service at Washington National Cathedral, where roughly 1,000 attendees were expected.
Top Political Figures Attend Memorial
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden were scheduled to pay their respects, along with former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle. Several Supreme Court justices—including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan—were also expected.
A large roster of current and former Cabinet secretaries from both parties planned to attend, along with congressional leaders such as Senate Majority Leader John Thune, former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, and Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi.
Bush, who served two terms alongside Cheney, eulogized his former vice president earlier this month, describing him as a “calm and steady presence” and “among the finest public servants of his generation,” according to Breitbart News.
A Symbol of GOP Realignment
Cheney’s legacy—particularly his central role in the War on Terror—shaped both his prominence and the long-standing controversies surrounding him. While the left spent years attacking him as a warmonger, his standing among conservatives declined as Republican voters increasingly rejected the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The divide between Cheney and the MAGA movement that emerged under Trump was both ideological and deeply personal.
The reported decision not to invite Trump and Vance underscores the enduring rift between the traditional Republican establishment and the populist movement that now dominates the party.
Trump Reacts to Cheney Family’s Political Role
Following his 2024 reelection, Trump blasted Democrats for embracing the Cheney family during the campaign.
In a Truth Social post shared by Breitbart News, Trump wrote, “The Democrats made a BIG mistake in getting Crazy Liz Chaney, and her father, Dick, involved in their campaign for President. It made the Republicans angry, and the Democrats just plain scratching their heads in amazement. It is always a bad idea to bring ‘losers’ into a political campaign!”
READ NEXT: Liz Cheney Predicts Rise of ‘New Conservative Party’
And I kind of doubt that they care. I mean, sorry for their loss, but really did not care for the guy.
Doubt Trump or Vance would go anyway.
Joe Biden has been dead for over five years. You are believing a Democrat lie.
About as petty as it gets.
Unlike the left’s response to Charlie Kirk’s death, I don’t want to use Dick Cheney’s passing to comment on my feelings about his politics over time. I will however say that the Cheney family seems to be inviting comments by not inviting the sitting President of the United States to the funeral. Simply no class.
That’s ok.Cheney was a moron anyway.And it didn’t take long to figure that out.Don’t understand why flags were at half-mast for a war mongering idiot.Had absolutely no use for that man.