Donald Trump announces JD Vance as his RNC running mate just days after assassination attempt

DONALD Trump has named Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate in the 2024 presidential election.

The 78-year-old former commander in chief’s announcement comes less than 48 hours after a suspected assassin fired nearly a dozen shots at Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

3

3

As GOP delegates gather at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to formally select Trump as the party’s presidential candidate, the former president unmasked his running mate in a post on Truth Social.

“After long deliberation and reflection, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the best suited person to assume the office of Vice President of the United States is Senator JD Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump said.

Trump praised Vance’s resume, touting his service in the Marine Corps, his time at Ohio State University, his tenure at Yale Law School, his career in technology and his time as a senator.

“JD has had a very successful business career in Technology and Finance, and now, during the Campaign, he will be heavily focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and much further,” he added.

President Joe Biden released a campaign ad minutes after Trump’s vice presidential announcement, asking supporters to help “protect democracy.”

“Here’s the deal on JD Vance. He talks a lot about workers,” Biden he wrote in X.

“But now, he and Trump want to raise taxes on middle-class families while pushing for more tax cuts for the rich.

“Well, I don’t intend to leave them. And if you’re with me, help.”

MEET TRUMP’S VP

If Trump is elected president, Vance, who will turn 40 in August, will be one of the youngest vice presidents in US history.

Vance rose to national prominence with his memoir Hillbilly Elegy, where he revealed his troubled upbringing in rural Jackson, Kentucky.

He grew up primarily with his grandparents while his mother struggled with drug addiction.

In his memoirs, he argued that a lack of personal agency was responsible for economic suffering, drug abuse, and other struggles in white, working-class communities like the one in which he was raised.

Vance was once a fierce critic of Trump, calling himself a “Never Trump guy” in an interview with Charlie Rose in 2016.

He has said publicly that he did not vote for Trump in the 2016 election, saying, “I’m a Never Trump guy. I never liked him.”

That same year, he told NPR, “I have no stomach for Trump. I think it’s harmful and it’s taking the white working class to a very dark place.”

Vance also wrote an op-ed for The New York Times titled “Mr. Trump Is Unfit for Our Nation’s Highest Office.”

He posted a tweet in 2016 after Trump’s Access Hollywood tape was leaked, writing, “Brother Christians, everyone is watching us. When we apologize for this man, Lord, help us.”

The Ohio senator also called Trump a series of harsh names and previously claimed voters were “idiots” for voting for him.

He referred to Trump as “America’s Hitter” in a Facebook message to an associate in 2016.

A spokesperson for Vance later said the comment did not represent his opinion.

Vance has changed his tune in recent years, becoming a Trump loyalist.

He has walked back his previous criticism of Trump and continued to praise the former president during his presidential campaign.

During an interview on CNN, he told Dana Bash: “But, look, my opinion about Donald Trump – I was very clear about that – is, look, I was wrong about him.

“I didn’t think he would be a good president, Dana, and I was very, very proud to be proven wrong. It’s one of the reasons I’m working so hard to elect him.”

Vance has also publicly stated that Trump’s criminal conviction for secret payments during the 2016 election was a “sham trial.”

He added that the trial was intended to “interfere in the presidential elections” and fiercely defended the former president.

Vance reiterated a similar sentiment in a recent Fox News interview with Bret Baier, stating, “Look — I was wrong about Donald Trump. I didn’t think he’d be a good president, Brett, he was a great president.”

“When you’re wrong about something, you should be able to change your mind,” he added.

REACTIONS TO CHOICE

Corinne “Corky” Haynes, an RNC attendee and Trump supporter from Phoenix, Arizona, told The US Sun: “I’ve always liked JD Vance. Ever since Hillbilly Elegy.

“I think he knows the MAGA program. He’s relatable, he grew up from nothing like the rest of us.

“He made something of himself, not like so many on both sides of the aisle who are elitists, who forget who they represent and who the people are. That’s why we’ve been Trump from the beginning.”

Cliff Vicars, a Republican from Tennessee, said of Vance, “I think he brings enthusiasm.”

The vicars described Vance as “very sensible, so he would fit in well with Trump.”

“He made something of himself, not like so many on both sides of the aisle who are elitists, who forget who they represent and who the people are.”

Corinne Haynes in JD VanceRepublican voter

Prominent Republicans and Democrats shared their opinions about the selection in X, with Elon Musk posting, “TRUMP VANCE, resonates with victory.”

Donald Trump Jr.. also praised the choice as “amazing” and added that Vance was an “awesome guy” and that “no one is more articulate.”

Nancy McArthur, chairwoman of the Ohio Republican Party, told The US Sun she was “excited” about the announcement, adding that it was “good for Ohio and good for our country.

“We’re very excited for him to step up and do this for our country and for Donald Trump.”

“It’s Trump’s choice, he needs someone to protect him and believe in him. He and JD have been close for some time, and Vance is close with his son.

“Be loyal to [Trump]and Trump knowing he has someone who can easily take his place – and it almost happened, right, the other day – God forbid that happens again.

“I trust Trump’s choice and know JD will do great things not just for Ohio, but for the country.”

When discussing security concerns and the assassination attempt on Trump, McArthur responded: “Obviously, there were issues with security in Pennsylvania, which is not too far from where I live.

“I don’t know what happened there, but something happened and it shouldn’t happen again.”

McArthur added: “This is really about our country, and if you’re a civilized and decent person, wouldn’t you want to see [Saturday’s events] happen to anyone,

“I don’t care what party you’re in. It doesn’t matter who we are as Americans.”

The President of the Republican Party further explained: “This man [Trump] He has suffered many personal attacks, both from the media and from his political opponents.

“He overcame it all. He’s a survivor and a fighter, and that’s who we are as Americans.”

“I remember when 9/11 happened and we all came together, I hope we can do that again because it’s important for our country.”

Arkan Somo, a Republican delegate from Californiadescribed the pick as: “Great news, amazing news. We’ve been very lucky this year.

“We have such a great pool of candidates that our next president of the United States could choose from, and JD Vance is incredible.”

Vance is present at the RNC and is expected to address attendees.