Mike Pence’s Bloodshot Eye Stole The Spotlight At The Vice Presidential Debate
Image via Flickr / D. Myles Cullen
Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence went head to head during the vice presidential debate on 7 October 2020. Though viewers were keen to hear what the candidates had to say about several critical issues in the US, many were distracted by Pence’s bloodshot left eye.
Some speculated that it could have been pink eye, which studies have said to be a symptom of COVID-19. Pence has not tested positive for the virus, although multiple White House staff members have, including the president and the first lady.
“What’s wrong with Pence’s eye? Anyone else seeing this? You know, pink eye is a sign of COVID-19,” one Twitter user questioned.
Another user decided to make light of the situation by referencing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator character in the titular film when he was shot in the eye.
A red eye can be the result of various reasons, from minor irritation to bacterial conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, or viral conjunctivitis, according to the Centers of the Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC notes that allergic conjunctivitis often affects both eyes, while viral conjunctivitis usually starts with one affected eye, and then spreads to the other in a few days. Bacterial conjunctivitis typically causes discharge and often occurs alongside “an ear infection.”
Neither Pence nor the administration has addressed the assumptions about his red eye on social media as of yet.
What’s wrong with Pence’s eye? Anyone else seeing this?
— Lady Liviana 🌊 (@RomulanX) October 8, 2020
You know, pink eye is a sign of Covid-19.#VPDebate pic.twitter.com/aZGGR2VfJH
Is he ok? pic.twitter.com/77qDCYdFGr
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) October 8, 2020
Pence looks like the fake Arnold Schwarzenegger head that cuts its own eye out in The Terminator pic.twitter.com/gfZgIymhit
— Aaron Stewart-Ahn (@somebadideas) October 8, 2020
My wife is watching the debate and I walked past and WHY IS MIKE PENCE'S EYE BLEEDING!? pic.twitter.com/0istrdSy8E
— Yellow Vests Form Like Voltron (@TweetyMctwat) October 8, 2020
Mike Pence’s one eye be like #VPDebate pic.twitter.com/iEd9HilY3v
— José (@josecanyousee) October 8, 2020
Uh oh — @Mike_Pence has the COVID eye pic.twitter.com/vN4hB5XBE2
— David Jedd (@DavidJedd) October 8, 2020
Does Pence have pink eye? Covid symptom alert pic.twitter.com/eFovDdNHiS
— ScienceisReal (@ilovemaps_) October 8, 2020
[via Heavy, cover image via Flickr / D. Myles Cullen]
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