Former President Donald Trump, the expected Republican presidential nominee, announced on Monday that Ohio Senator J.D. Vance will be his running mate for the upcoming presidential election. This decision has stirred significant reactions from both sides of the political spectrum.
In response to Trump’s announcement, President Joe Biden criticized Vance, claiming that he talks about supporting working-class Americans but actually pushes for policies favoring the wealthy.
“Here’s the deal about J.D. Vance,” Biden posted on X. “He talks a big game about working people. But now, he and Trump want to raise taxes on middle-class families while pushing more tax cuts for the rich.” Biden also used the opportunity to ask for campaign donations, signaling a contentious race ahead.
Trump praised his vice presidential pick, highlighting Vance’s military service, academic achievements, and successful business career. He mentioned Vance’s best-selling book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” and its adaptation into a movie, noting that it champions the hardworking men and women of the country.
Biden-Harris 2024 Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon released a statement criticizing Trump’s choice. She claimed that Vance would enable Trump’s “extreme MAGA agenda,” even if it meant breaking the law.
Dillon pointed out Vance’s support for a nationwide abortion ban, his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, and his refusal to certify the 2020 election results. She added that billionaires and corporations support Vance because they believe he and Trump will cut their taxes, resulting in higher prices for everyone else.
Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) also commented on the announcement, referencing a previous remark by Vance where he called Trump “America’s Hitler.” Swalwell sarcastically noted the shift from such a strong statement to now being Trump’s running mate.
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison weighed in, calling this election the most consequential of our lifetimes. He stated that with Trump’s decision to add Vance to the Republican ticket, the stakes have become even higher.
Harrison argued that a Trump-Vance administration would undermine democracy, freedoms, and the future of the country, embodying an out-of-touch extreme agenda.
