Donald Trump chose Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate on Monday afternoon, choosing a grassroots favorite over more experienced political candidates.
The former president waited until the last minute and used all his showmanship skills to keep the world in suspense before choosing the 39-year-old Vance
Trump made his announcement on Truth Social, but dropped it just as delegates were approving his presidential nomination at their convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“As Vice President, JD will continue to fight for our Constitution, support our troops, and do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” he wrote in a statement, citing his career as a Marine, best-selling author and in business.
Two hours later, Vance arrived on the convention floor, where he was welcomed as a hero at the official vote on the nomination.
Senator JD Vance arrived on the convention floor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, two hours after being named by Donald Trump as his running mate choice
Vance is a former Marine and bestselling author. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022.
Biden’s campaign immediately went on the attack, criticizing Vance’s hardline policies on abortion and saying he would do the bidding of billionaires and corporations.
Vance came to national prominence when he published his bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy” in 2016, the year Trump was elected president.
He has been a senator for less than two years, but has emerged as one of the fiercest defenders of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, particularly when it comes to foreign policy, trade and immigration.
The former venture capitalist and US Marine was initially critical of Trump.
He did not vote for Trump in 2016, tweeting around the time, “My god, what an idiot.”
But insiders say he became increasingly politicized as he watched the country’s elite institutions turn against Trump’s presidency even as he delivered on his promises.
Since then, he has built a personal bond with the former president and his son Donald Trump Jr.
Trump was impressed with his fierce performances on Fox News, as well as his recent weight loss.
Last week, Don Jr. told DailyMail.com: ‘You make a lot of acquaintances in politics, but JD is a great and loyal man who has become a real friend.
“His entire life story is the embodiment of the American dream, but he never forgets where he came from.”
Donald Trump unveiled Vance as his choice with a statement on Truth Social on Monday afternoon that read like a resume, listing his career accomplishments
Some delegates wrote “Vance” on their Trump signs after the announcement was made
Trump noted that JD Vance has lost weight lately and called him a “handsome son of a bitch.”
The role of vice president has taken on even greater significance in the past 48 hours after the former president was hit in the ear by an assassin’s bullet on Saturday.
His running mate will have to be ready to take on the top job in the short term.
“JD has had a very successful business career in the technology and financial sectors and now, during the campaign, he will focus fiercely on the people he fought so brilliantly for: the American workers and farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota and far beyond,” the former president said in his statement.
Vance is now expected to enthuse Trump’s base and bring some millennial energy into the race.
His working-class Ohio roots could also help him beat President Joe Biden in his so-called “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “President Trump needs a vice president with innovative ideas and the ability to communicate them to every American voter. Senator J.D. Vance fits that bill perfectly.
“It’s time to unite our country, and we’re eager to expand our majority in the House of Representatives and get to work on this ticket to restore America’s greatness.”
Don Jr., the former president’s eldest son, who is very close to Vance, paid tribute to defeated ‘finalists’ Doug Burgum and Marco Rubio
JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance wave to their supporters after he won his 2022 primary in Ohio
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and one of the voices lobbying for Vance, said: “Great choice by Trump. Let’s win this thing.”
Insiders said the other two “finalists” were Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Burgum received a lot of support from media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, who wanted a more moderate and reserved voice, close to Trump.
It wasn’t enough. Even as a series of attack pieces hit the media last week, the betting markets declared Vance the clear frontrunner.
After the announcement, Don Jr. paid tribute to the “incredible patriots” Burgum and Rubio.
“Biden is stuck with the worst vice president in the history of our country,” he posted on X. “President Trump has one of the most dynamic, young leaders in the country in JD Vance.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, chair of the 2024 Biden-Harris campaign, attacked Vance’s record, saying he was elected because Trump knew he would do what Mike Pence opposed: “Do whatever it takes to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and regardless of the harm it does to the American people.”
