In a highly anticipated move, former President Donald Trump announced on Monday afternoon that Ohio Senator J.D. Vance will be his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Trump’s choice of the 39-year-old grassroots favorite over more seasoned political operators has generated significant buzz and speculation.
Trump, ever the showman, kept the world guessing until the last possible moment before making his announcement on Truth Social. He timed the reveal perfectly, dropping the news just as delegates were rubber-stamping his nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote, citing Vance’s impressive resume as a Marine, bestselling author, and businessman.
The Biden campaign wasted no time attacking Vance, focusing on his hardline record on abortion and suggesting he would serve the interests of billionaires and corporations. Vance rose to national prominence with his 2016 bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, the same year Trump was first elected president. Although he has been a senator for less than two years, Vance has quickly established himself as a staunch defender of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, particularly in the areas of foreign policy, trade, and immigration.
Neocon Karl Rove is on Fox melting down right now over the pick of America First JD Vance
Sorry, Karl, we’re breaking up
It’s not us, it’s you. It’s definitely you
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) July 15, 2024
Interestingly, Vance was initially critical of Trump, not voting for him in 2016 and even tweeting, “My god what an idiot.” However, as he watched elite institutions turn against Trump’s presidency, Vance became increasingly politicized and eventually aligned himself closely with Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr.
Vance’s spirited appearances on Fox News and his recent weight loss caught Trump’s attention. Last week, Don Jr. praised Vance in an interview with DailyMail.com, calling him “a great and loyal guy who has become a genuine friend. His entire life story is the embodiment of the American dream, but he never forgets where he came from.”
The vice-presidential role has taken on greater significance following the recent assassination attempt on Trump, which saw a bullet graze his ear. Vance will need to be prepared to step into the top job if necessary. Trump highlighted Vance’s successful career in technology and finance, emphasizing his focus on American workers and farmers in key states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio.
Vance’s selection is also expected to energize Trump’s base and inject millennial vigor into the campaign. His blue-collar Ohio roots could be pivotal in winning over voters in the so-called “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed strong support for Vance, saying, “President Trump needs a vice president with innovative ideas and the ability to articulate them to every single American voter, and Senator J.D. Vance fits that mold perfectly. It is time to unite our nation, and we are eager to grow our House majority and get to work with this ticket to restore America’s greatness once again.”
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and an advocate for Vance, praised the choice, calling it “a great choice by Trump. Let’s win this thing.”
Insiders revealed that the other finalists for the VP slot were Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota. Despite media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s backing of Burgum for a more moderate influence, Vance emerged as the clear frontrunner.
Following the announcement, Don Jr. paid tribute to the other finalists, calling them “incredible patriots” and contrasting their credentials with those of current Vice President Kamala Harris. “Biden is stuck with the worst VP in the history of our nation,” he posted on X. “President Trump has one of the most dynamic, young leaders in the country in J.D. Vance.”
Jen O’Malley Dillon, chair of the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign, criticized Vance’s record, suggesting he was chosen to enable Trump’s extreme MAGA agenda without regard for the law or the well-being of the American people.