Trump picks J.D. Vance as his running mate
Donald Trump picked Ohio senator J.D. Vance as his running mate on Monday afternoon, choosing a grassroots favorite ahead of more seasoned political operators. The former president left it until the last possible moment, using all his showman skills to leave the world guessing, before opting for 39-year-old Vance after the Republican National Convention had already begun in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Trump made his announcement on Truth Social, dropping it just as delegates were rubber stamping his nomination as presidential candidate. 'J.D. has had a very successful business career in technology and finance, and now, during the campaign, will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American workers and farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond,' he said.
Vance swept to national attention when he published his bestselling memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy,' in 2016, the year Trump was elected president. He has been a senator for less than two years but has established himself as one of the fiercest defenders of Trump’s 'Make America Great Again' agenda, especially when it comes to foreign policy, trade and immigration.
The former venture capitalist and U.S. Marine had initially been critical of Trump. He didn't vote for Trump in 2016 and around that time tweeted: 'My god what an idiot.' But insiders said he became increasingly politicized as he watched the nation's elite institutions turn on the Trump presidency even as he delivered on his promises.
Since then he become personally close with the former president and his son Donald Trump Jr . Last week, Don Jr. told DailyMail.com: 'You make a lot of acquaintances in politics, but J.D. is a great and loyal guy who has become a genuine friend. 'His entire life story is the embodiment of the American dream, but he never forgets where he came from.'
The role of VP has taken on even greater significance in the past 48 hours, after an assassin bullet hit the former president's ear on Saturday. His running mate will have to be ready to step up to the top job at short notice. Vance will also now be expected to enthuse Trump's base and inject some millennial energy into the race.
His blue-collar Ohio roots will could also help 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 articulate them to every single American voter and Senator J.D. Vance fits that mold perfectly.
'It is time to unite our nation and we are eager to grow our House majority and get to work with this ticket to restore America’s greatness once again.' Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and one of the voices lobbying for Vance, said: 'A great choice by Trump. Let’s win this thing.'
Insiders said the two other 'finalists' were Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota. Last week betting markets declared Vance the clear frontrunner even as a string of attack pieces surfaced in the media.
