JD Vance received a thunderous applause from MAGA supporters at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday when he made his campaign debut as Donald Trump’s running mate.
He used his appearance to introduce himself to Republican voters, with less than four months to go until Election Day, and to attack his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It was so cool to be asked by President Trump’s running mate and campaign,” Vance said in opening his speech.
“There is actually some bad news. Vice President Kamala Harris, she doesn’t like me,” he said, launching his own series of attacks that we can expect to hear in the months between now and Election Day.
JD Vance makes first appearance at Trump rally as former president’s running mate
Vance accused Harris of claiming he has “no loyalty” to the country before touting his time in the Marine Corps. He also criticized her work in the Biden administration on the border.
“She served as border czar during the worst disaster, open border we’ve ever had in this country,” he claimed. “Let’s get President Trump back out there, close this border and bring some common sense security back to this country,” he said.
The event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was Vance’s first campaign rally since joining the GOP ticket. The Ohio senator spoke just hours before Trump was also scheduled to take the stage.
“We’ve never had an election where one person was president for four years and the other person was president for four years, and who could possibly reject the idea that four and a half years of President Trump has been a lot better than four years of Joe Biden,” Vance said.
Vance returned later to introduce Trump. Two planes were spotted at the airport for their event, including one for Vance as he heads out on the campaign trail.
JD Vance used his appearance in Grand Rapids to attack Vice President Kamala Harris and share some of his background as he works to introduce himself to GOP voters
Trump supporters line up to enter Van Andel Arena. Security was beefed up for Trump’s rally in Grand Rapids. It was the first campaign rally since the PA shooting a week earlier
JD Vance walks to Milwaukee, WI to deliver his speech accepting the GOP vice presidential nomination on July 17. Trump had named him as his running mate two days earlier
Trump named the conservative Ohio senator, veteran and best-selling author as his running mate Monday afternoon at the Republican Party convention, after months of speculation about who he would choose as his number two.
The former Trump critic turned ardent supporter formally accepted the Republican Party’s vice presidential nomination Wednesday night at the party’s convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He is now busy introducing himself to Trump supporters and independent voters, with less than four months until Election Day.
Some Republican officials told DailyMail.com they see the 39-year-old MAGA favorite as a good choice to woo young conservatives and as someone who can help break down the so-called blue wall in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
JD Vance and his wife Usha stood onstage with Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania at the conclusion of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 18
But many Trump supporters in Grand Rapids were still unfamiliar with the former Ohio venture capitalist, who was elected to the Senate less than two years ago.
Those who knew him were mostly familiar with his book “Hillbilly Elegy” or had seen the 2020 film of the same name starring Ron Howard based on it.
“I didn’t know at first until he gave his speech, and then I learned a little bit,” said Denise Cook, who drove to Grand Rapids from Portage, Indiana.
“I had seen Hillbilly Elegy and I thought he was kind of young, but after I saw his speech, I could tell he spoke so eloquently,” she said, pointing to his convention acceptance speech on Wednesday.
Gregory McPherson of Traverse City, MI also knew Vance from his book.
“I think it’s perfect,” he said of Trump’s choice. “I’ve been following J.D. Vance since his book came out and I believe he’s the strong American who believes in America and just the power of what we can all be together.”
Denise Bontembo of Battle Creek, MI, called it fantastic that Trump chose Vance.
“I’m from Ohio, he’s from Ohio, I’m an Ohio State fan and I’m a Marine,” she explained.
“He is young, that will revitalize the party,” she added.
JD Vance and his wife Usha on the convention floor after he was announced as Trump’s vice presidential pick on July 15, 2024
“I didn’t really know him. But what I do know about him, I like,” Ben Casarez said. “I like that he’s probably going to be able to move on in four years. I don’t think they can dig anything up on him, but we’ve got to keep this Trump thing going.”
“I find it very interesting. He wasn’t on my radar. I know he’s been talked about. I had my choices that I wanted, but I’m happy with J.D. Vance,” said Lisa Donlin of Kalamazoo.
Ahead of Trump’s rally in Michigan, the Biden campaign held a phone call in which Democrats criticized the former president and Ohio senator’s visit to the state.
“If there are two things we know about Michigan voters, they don’t like the Buckeyes, and they don’t like politicians who want to limit their reproductive freedom. And J.D. Vance is both,” said Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, referring to the senator’s anti-abortion stance.