Former President Donald Trump formally selected Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his 2024 presidential candidate on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, and the accolades from the GOP began pouring in almost immediately.
“J.D. Vance would dominate Kamala Harris in the vice presidential debate,” a national Republican strategist told The Post. “And given the fact that Harris will inevitably replace Biden when he doesn’t serve out another four years in office, Trump couldn’t have picked a better running mate to make it clear what’s at stake in this election.”
Vance is a first-term Ohio senator who gained attention in 2016 with the publication of a highly acclaimed memoir. Hillbilly Elegy(later adapted into a feature film directed by Ron Howard and starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams) The book recounts Vance’s childhood growing up in the working-class town of Middletown, Ohio, and explores his family’s multi-generational roots in Appalachian Kentucky and the struggles of poverty, violence and drug abuse.
Vance had been a front-runner to be President Trump’s running mate for several months, but was officially announced on stage at the Republican National Convention in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday afternoon, and on the former president’s Truth Social account shortly thereafter. When Vance’s name was announced onstage, the convention crowd cheered and chanted his name in appreciation.
Reaction online from Republicans has been similarly enthusiastic, with many excited about the possibility of a debate between Vance and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
But those unhappy with the selection protested online, pointing out that Vance has previously attacked Trump, calling him “the American Hitler”.
Common sense would suggest that Trump would consider only his most loyal supporters when choosing a running mate, but his choice of Vance may signal a willingness to prioritize youth and star power over lifelong loyalty.
Traditionally, in a US election year, the vice presidential debates are held in late October.
