Former US President Donald Trump has chosen Republican Senator JD Vance as his vice president for the 2024 presidential election. On his Truth social platform, Trump said that after long deliberation and thought, and “considering the tremendous talents of many others”, he decided that Vance was best suited to assume the office of Vice President of the United States.
According to a source, the Republican candidate called the Ohio senator just 20 minutes before announcing on Monday to offer him the vice presidential spot. The two met on Saturday before Trump’s rally at Mar-a-Lago club, where Trump was shot.
Vance and Trump have similar views on issues such as immigration and trade.
Why did Trump pick JD Vance?
Donald Trump has spent recent months evaluating potential running mate candidates, watching how they perform on TV, at fundraisers and rallies. Some contenders accompanied him to his criminal trial in New York, while others joined him in the debate last month. The debate was noted for President Joe Biden’s poor performance, which led to calls for him to step down and a younger candidate to replace him.
Trump’s choice of J.D. Vance as his running mate is a strategic move to energize his loyal supporters. Vance has established himself as a leader who can carry Trump’s legacy into the future, thanks to his frequent appearances on the conservative media circuit and his willingness to debate reporters on Capitol Hill.
According to the AP, in his announcement letter, Trump praised Vance for his devotion to American workers and farmers and said he would focus special attention on “the people he fought so valiantly for” in Midwestern states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Minnesota.
Vance and Trump also speak regularly on the phone.
The former president praised the senator’s looks, comparing him to a young Abraham Lincoln.
Vance was once an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, calling him a “complete fraud”, “moron”, “moral devastation” and even “America’s Hitler”.
However, as Trump’s political fortunes rose, Vance’s view changed dramatically. Despite his initial skepticism, Vance later praised Trump’s presidency and credited him with “bringing peace and prosperity.”
This change in stance led to Trump endorsing him during his 2022 Senate bid.
Now a staunch Trump loyalist, Vance has actively defended him against criminal and civil charges and has questioned the 2020 election results.
