On Monday, Donald Trump named right-wing Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate for the upcoming US presidential election, rewarding a former critic who has since become a steadfast supporter in Congress. Trump, 78, announced his selection on the first day of the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee, which was overshadowed by an attempted assassination on the former president.
JD Vance, 39, known for his populist stance, aligns with Trump’s isolationist, anti-immigration “America First” movement. Despite being one of the least experienced vice-presidential picks in modern history, Vance holds even more conservative views than Trump on several issues, including advocating for federal abortion legislation. Vance first gained prominence with his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” which highlighted the struggles of his Appalachian upbringing and resonated with rural, working-class Americans.
Critics point to Vance’s past critical remarks about Trump, where he referred to him as an “idiot,” “noxious,” and “reprehensible,” and even compared him to “America’s Hitler.” However, Vance has since rebranded himself as a Trump supporter, securing Trump’s crucial endorsement in the 2022 Ohio Senate race.
Trump’s announcement could have come earlier, but plans were disrupted by an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, resulting in one death and several injuries. With the nation still reeling from images of a bloodied Trump being escorted off stage, about 50,000 Republicans gathered in Milwaukee for the four-day convention, just months before the election against Democratic President Joe Biden.
Despite calls to postpone the convention, Trump remained defiant. “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” he told the New York Post, showing visible injuries from the attack. The Secret Service assured the public it was prepared to ensure security at the convention.
Leading in multiple polls despite his conviction in a hush-money case in New York, Trump is confident. Biden, 81, faces pressure from within his party to withdraw from the race due to concerns about his age. Trump’s confidence was further bolstered on Monday when a judge dismissed a criminal case accusing him of endangering national security by retaining top-secret documents after leaving the White House.
Immediately after, Trump called for all legal cases against him to be dismissed, reiterating claims of political targeting. He told the Post he had prepared a strong speech against Biden’s “horrible administration” for Thursday when he is expected to become the official Republican nominee.
Amidst accusations from some Republicans, including Vance, that Democrats’ anti-Trump rhetoric incited the attack, Trump expressed hopes to “unite our country.” However, this would require him to curb his tendency to settle scores, as demonstrated by his call for supporters to “fight” immediately after Saturday’s attack.
The Milwaukee convention, reflecting Trump’s influence, features digital banners proclaiming “Make America Great Once Again.” Trump’s reshaping of Republican politics is evident, with loyalists like his daughter-in-law Lara Trump holding key positions in the Republican National Committee, effectively quashing dissent.
The convention is also a family affair, with Lara Trump and Trump’s eldest sons, Don Jr. and Eric, scheduled to address delegates.
