MILWAUKEE — Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin dismissed anti-Trump rhetoric from 2016 vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, arguing that Vance’s changing relationship with Trump could sway undecided Americans to vote Republican.
“I think it’s great that people grow and change their opinions, and I give him credit for that. It’s not going to be an issue at all. He might help change people’s opinions of Donald Trump, which had to change after the events of Saturday night,” Johnson told Fox News Digital from the Republican National Committee.
“This is a life-changing event for everybody. Now we have President Trump. If he gets re-elected, he doesn’t have to worry about getting re-elected. It’s a liberating feeling and he has no choice but to believe that God saved him for this moment,” he continued, referring to Saturday’s assassination attempt on Trump.
After gaining national fame with the publication of his 2016 autobiography, “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance called himself a “Never Trumper” and criticized Trump’s presidential bid. The senator has since denied any of his comments and stressed to voters that he is not afraid to admit when he’s wrong.
Republican National Convention 2024 kicks off, with Republican support garnering, Trump nominates J.D. Vance for vice president on first day
Sen. Ron Johnson speaks to Fox News Digital during the Republican National Convention. (Fox News Digital)
Vance has stood by his previous comments in interviews with the media, including with Fox News’ Bret Baier last month.
“Look, I was wrong about Donald Trump,” Vance said. “Brett, I didn’t think he’d be a good president. He’s been a great president. That’s one of the reasons I’m working so hard to give him a second term.”
Trump’s running mate JD Vance: Inside his Hollywood ties
Sen. J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Chirukuri Vance, watch as he is nominated for vice president during the first day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Johnson added that Vance is a “man of integrity” and noted that Trump “made a wise choice” in selecting his running mate.
“I’m going to miss losing him as a colleague. That says it all. He’s a man of integrity, an intelligent man. A great choice to be vice president. President Trump had a lot of talent to choose from and I think he made a wise choice,” Johnson told reporters at the Republican National Committee.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), President Trump’s nominee for vice president, arrives on the first day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 15, 2024. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Who is Trump’s running mate, JD Vance?
Trump announced Vance as his running mate on Monday as the Republican National Convention got underway.
Donald Trump invited J.D. Vance onto the stage on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Vandalia, Ohio. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“After lengthy deliberation and consideration, and after taking into account many other incredible talents, I have determined that the person best qualified to serve as Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio,” President Trump announced on his Truth Social platform Monday afternoon.
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Trump’s announcement came on the heels of an assassination attempt on Saturday night in Pennsylvania, where Trump was nearly killed when a gunman identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot him in the ear. Secret Service agents later shot and killed Crooks.
Vance’s past anti-Trump comments could sway on-the-fence Americans to vote red: Sen. Johnson
MILWAUKEE — Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin dismissed anti-Trump rhetoric from 2016 vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, arguing that Vance’s changing relationship with Trump could sway undecided Americans to vote Republican.
“I think it’s great that people grow and change their opinions, and I give him credit for that. It’s not going to be an issue at all. He might help change people’s opinions of Donald Trump, which had to change after the events of Saturday night,” Johnson told Fox News Digital from the Republican National Committee.
“This is a life-changing event for everybody. Now we have President Trump. If he gets re-elected, he doesn’t have to worry about getting re-elected. It’s a liberating feeling and he has no choice but to believe that God saved him for this moment,” he continued, referring to Saturday’s assassination attempt on Trump.
After gaining national fame with the publication of his 2016 autobiography, “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance called himself a “Never Trumper” and criticized Trump’s presidential bid. The senator has since denied any of his comments and stressed to voters that he is not afraid to admit when he’s wrong.
Republican National Convention 2024 kicks off, with Republican support garnering, Trump nominates J.D. Vance for vice president on first day
Sen. Ron Johnson speaks to Fox News Digital during the Republican National Convention. (Fox News Digital)
Vance has stood by his previous comments in interviews with the media, including with Fox News’ Bret Baier last month.
“Look, I was wrong about Donald Trump,” Vance said. “Brett, I didn’t think he’d be a good president. He’s been a great president. That’s one of the reasons I’m working so hard to give him a second term.”
Trump’s running mate JD Vance: Inside his Hollywood ties
Sen. J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Chirukuri Vance, watch as he is nominated for vice president during the first day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Johnson added that Vance is a “man of integrity” and noted that Trump “made a wise choice” in selecting his running mate.
“I’m going to miss losing him as a colleague. That says it all. He’s a man of integrity, an intelligent man. A great choice to be vice president. President Trump had a lot of talent to choose from and I think he made a wise choice,” Johnson told reporters at the Republican National Committee.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), President Trump’s nominee for vice president, arrives on the first day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 15, 2024. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Who is Trump’s running mate, JD Vance?
Trump announced Vance as his running mate on Monday as the Republican National Convention got underway.
Donald Trump invited J.D. Vance onto the stage on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Vandalia, Ohio. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“After lengthy deliberation and consideration, and after taking into account many other incredible talents, I have determined that the person best qualified to serve as Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio,” President Trump announced on his Truth Social platform Monday afternoon.
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Click here to get the FOX News app
Trump’s announcement came on the heels of an assassination attempt on Saturday night in Pennsylvania, where Trump was nearly killed when a gunman identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot him in the ear. Secret Service agents later shot and killed Crooks.
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