Adam Rippon says he would ‘totally’ speak with Pence post-Olympics

Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon said Friday that he would “totally” take a call from Vice President Pence, now that the competition is over.

Rippon, who helped the U.S. team take home a bronze medal, has been an outspoken critic of Pence since he was named to the Olympic team.

“I was offered a phone call with the vice president that I decided not to take before the games,” he said on NBC’s “Today” show. “I didn’t take the phone call because I needed to focus on the competition.”

{mosads}The skater is the first openly gay athlete to represent the U.S. at the Winter Olympics.

“I feel that Mike Pence doesn’t stand for anything that I was taught when I grew up,” Rippon said. “I think that it’s important if you’re given the platform to speak up for those who don’t have a voice.”

Rippon’s feud with the vice president began after he was named to the Olympic team. He criticized the Trump administration, and Pence in particular, for his views on LGBTQ rights.

Pence’s office said the vice president only reached out to Rippon to clarify Pence’s views. Rippon suggested Pence supports “gay conversion therapy,” which Pence denies.

Pence responded to the feud with a tweet, telling Rippon, “I want you to know we are FOR YOU. Don’t let fake news distract you.”

.@Adaripp I want you to know we are FOR YOU. Don’t let fake news distract you. I am proud of you and ALL OF OUR GREAT athletes and my only hope for you and all of #TeamUSA is to bring home the gold. Go get ‘em!

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 8, 2018

Rippon said earlier in the year that he would not visit the White House if invited as an Olympian.