The phrase Trump excluded from Cheney funeral became a defining headline on November 20, 2025, as the state funeral for former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney brought together major figures from across the American political spectrum except for President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Their absence, confirmed by the White House, underscored the deep political and personal divisions that shaped Cheney’s final years and the broader struggle over the future direction of the Republican Party.
Why Trump Was Excluded From Cheney’s Funeral
The decision to exclude Trump was consistent with Cheney’s long-standing criticism of the president.
Cheney had called Trump “the greatest threat to our republic in 248 years,” condemning his false claims of victory in the 2020 election and his role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Because of these conflicts, the choice to keep Trump excluded from Cheney funeral proceedings was seen not as a surprise, but as a deliberate affirmation of Cheney’s beliefs.
Even in his final public years, Cheney continued to confront Trumpism directly, supporting Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and distancing himself from the populist wing of the GOP.
Given this history, funeral organizers reportedly saw Trump’s presence as inappropriate.
U.S. Leaders Attend to Honor Cheney’s Legacy
While Trump excluded from Cheney funeral became the story of the day, the cathedral itself was filled with former leaders paying tribute to a man widely viewed as one of the most influential vice presidents in modern American history.
Attendees included:
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Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
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George W. Bush and Laura Bush
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Kamala Harris
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Mike Pence
Bush, who served with Cheney from 2001 to 2009, delivered an emotional eulogy describing Cheney as a leader whose “talent and restraint exceeded his ego.”
The bipartisan presence emphasized Cheney’s decades-long impact on American governance from the Cold War, through 9/11, to the Iraq War.
JD Vance Responds Softly to the Exclusion
While Trump excluded from Cheney funeral dominated headlines, Vice President JD Vance reacted more diplomatically.
He expressed condolences to Cheney’s family and acknowledged political disagreements, saying:
“My condolences to the Cheney family. Of course, there were political differences.”
His subdued tone contrasted sharply with Trump’s silence.
A Reflection of Deep Republican Division
The exclusion of Trump was symbolic, highlighting the widening ideological rift within the Republican Party. Cheney represented the traditional conservative wing rooted in national security, foreign policy experience, and institutional stability while Trump embodies a populist, confrontational style of politics.
Cheney’s funeral became a stage where this conflict was visible: a gathering of establishment Republicans without the presence of the party’s current standard-bearer.
Political analysts noted that Trump excluded from Cheney funeral may mark one of the clearest public breaks between the GOP’s old guard and its new era.
Cheney’s Career and Controversial Legacy
Dick Cheney leaves behind a legacy both respected and debated.
Supporters view him as a strategic thinker who strengthened American power; critics argue that he overreached, particularly in shaping the Iraq War and expanding executive authority.
His tenure included:
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Directing the U.S. response to 9/11
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Supporting enhanced interrogation programs
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Advocating for the Iraq invasion
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Reorganizing national security structures
Regardless of opinions, Cheney’s influence on U.S. foreign policy and defense strategy spanned nearly half a century.
A Funeral Marked by Political Meaning
The decision that kept Trump excluded from Cheney funeral turned a solemn moment into a commentary on the state of American politics.
Funerals of statesmen typically symbolize unity, but this one revealed lingering fractures between past and present, establishment and populism, tradition and disruption.
As the cathedral bells rang and world leaders sent condolences, the absence of Trump served as a reminder that Cheney’s final statement was not only about legacy but also about values.
