MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) told social conservatives gathered at a Thursday morning breakfast at the Republican National Convention that former President Donald Trump had earned their support.
“In my 39 years of life, Trump has done more for social conservatives than any other president,” Vance told about 300 attendees at the Faith and Freedom Coalition breakfast on the final day of the convention.
Thus, even though his words and past actions were controversial, he enjoyed the “blessings” of social conservatives.
Very important comment translator in Face Hand Freedom United God and Country Breakfast:
“Social conservatives have a seat at this table, and as long as I have influence in this party, they always will, and I know President Trump would agree with that.”
“Remember, this is… pic.twitter.com/xhykCQB7NX
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) July 18, 2024
His comments come amid a battle within the Republican Party over its stance on abortion. Trump has campaigned on states’ rights rather than a national abortion ban, a move that hasn’t pleased all pro-life voters but which most have accepted as a necessary compromise.
Democrats are banking on the abortion issue and the possibility of federal anti-abortion legislation to sway voters to support the reelection of President Joe Biden. In contrast, the Republican conference has downplayed the abortion issue.
Vance’s attendance at the prayer breakfast was a significant gesture of respect to core Republican voters.
Vance was raised in a Pentecostal church but was baptized Catholic in 2020. Documented In an essay at the time, he wrote that he had been skeptical of Trump during the 2015-2016 presidential election but, like many religious voters, had changed his mind based on Trump’s record in office.
During his first term, Trump championed religious freedom, appointed conservatives to the judiciary, and upheld Supreme Court Roe v. Wade 2023.
The theme of faith has featured unusually prominently throughout the Republican National Convention, reflecting the shock and relief Americans felt after President Donald Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt on Saturday.
Participants pray during the Faith and Freedom Coalition prayer breakfast at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024. (Joel Pollack/Breitbart News)
Vance, who spoke at the party convention the night before when he accepted the vice presidential nomination, said he had been extremely nervous the night before his speech and had prayed.
“Jesus, please help me,” the first-term senator recalled praying early in the morning as he contemplated the responsibilities of his new role. He was comforted by the experience. “I felt the touch of God,” Vance said.
Many other speakers at the rally included Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota), and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who declared that the Republican Party has always been “the party of pro-life, pro-family and pro-faith.”
Joel B. Pollack is executive editor of Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday The show airs Sunday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. (4 to 7 p.m. ET) on SiriusXM Patriot. He is the author of “Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days,” which is available for preorder on Amazon. He also wrote,Trumpian virtue: The lessons and legacy of Donald Trump’s presidency” is available on Audible. He is the 2018 recipient of the Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter. Joel Pollack.
