JD Vance slammed a “dishonest” media on Wednesday as he held his first campaign fundraiser since joining Trump’s ticket.
He demonstrated the attack dog credentials that impressed Donald Trump in front of about 200 supporters gathered at a science center on the shores of Lake Michigan.
“The media keeps saying they want someone to turn things down,” he said.
“Well, Donald Trump got shot and he brought the temperature down. That’s what a real leader does.”
Wednesday is vice presidential day. Later in the evening, the 39-year-old will be in prime time, where he will deliver the big speech of the day at the Republican convention, in which he will introduce himself to the American public.
Donald Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, spoke at a fundraiser on Wednesday. Later in the day he will deliver a prime-time speech in which the campaign will introduce him to the nation.
Although he is known for his forceful defense of Trump and his radical MAGA views, the speech will be his introduction to a broader audience. He is expected to explain his military service (he was a Marine who spent time in Iraq) and talk about his family and his difficult childhood.
But first came the VIP event at Milwaukee’s Discovery World, where guests were offered Maine lobster rolls along with crab and artichoke dip.
Vance brought with him memories of his humble beginnings, walking to the bluegrass banjo beat of Merle Haggard’s “America First.”
He said he would have to be careful not to reveal any details of the evening’s big speech.
“I joked with the president that I’m really excited about this evening and I hope I don’t screw it up, but if I do, it will be too late. He made the bet, didn’t he? It’s official now,” he said, laughing.
He said he planned to fire up the crowd and make the case for Trump’s re-election.
“The guy who really connects with the working people of this country is not the fake Scranton Joe,” he said. “It’s the real President Donald Trump.”
He promised to stay after his speech to take selfies and chat with supporters. He then politely apologized to a handful of reporters at the back of the room before launching into an attack.
“The media has lied more aggressively and slanderously about a guy who is still suffering,” he said.
“He continues to persevere. He continues to fight. President Trump has withstood everything that’s been thrown at him.”
Wednesday is vice presidential day. Vance will deliver the big speech at the Republican convention in Milwaukee later in the day. His wife Usha will also speak.
Vance will address delegates on Wednesday evening. He is pictured here during a tour on Tuesday, looking at the stage and lectern at Fiserv Forum.
Vance’s wife, Usha, will take the stage to address the convention before her husband.
Vendors have made a healthy trade of merchandise at the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Saturday’s shooting, he said, simply emphasized the difference between the media caricature and the real man.
Vance received the nod 48 hours later, beating out more experienced hands like Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota.
Since then it has been a week of new experiences.
Within hours, Trump’s campaign posted an image of his name plastered on the side of a plane, beneath the former president’s branding.
His security detail has been strengthened. Earlier this week, black SUVs with official license plates were seen in front of his house.
And on Monday he entered the convention hall shortly after being anointed as Trump’s running mate and received a rapturous reception from the party faithful.
Trump campaign aide Jason Miller posted an image of Vance stickers added to a plane
Vance joined Trump at the Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night before hearing former rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis address the convention.
Vance’s tough upbringing, the son of an addicted mother in southern Ohio, is a message that will resonate with a wide swath of the American heartland, but is not well-known outside his home state.
His wife Usha, the daughter of immigrants from India, will also speak as part of Trump’s campaign in what is effectively the hard-hitting launch of his vice presidential pick.
Vance has no political experience and was only elected to the Senate two years ago.
But the Yale Law School graduate has intellectual heft and is seen as the kind of vice president who could help flesh out Trump’s instinctive politics with a philosophical framework.
Vance’s close relationship with Trump’s eldest son, Don Jr., and his stylish television appearances helped him land the role.
