Former President Donald Trump has officially named Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. He made the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, after which the Republican party also officially named him as the nominee for the Presidential elections in November.
Making the announcement, Trump wrote on Truth Social.”After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio.”
This choice comes as Trump attends, with bandaged ears, the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his first public appearance since he was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt on Saturday, July 13.
Vance, 39, is a relative newcomer to politics, having been elected to the Senate in 2022. His rapid ascent to the national stage is notable, given his complex history with Trump. Once a vocal critic who compared Trump to Hitler, Vance has since become one of the former president’s staunchest supporters.
A U.S. Marines veteran, Yale Law School graduate, and former venture capitalist, Vance gained prominence with his 2016 bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” which explores his working-class upbringing in Ohio.
Reacting to the pick, Vance told Fox News on July 14 about his call with Trump where the ex-president asked him. “It’s like, ‘oh my God, Donald Trump’s asking me to be his vice president’ – this is the call, or maybe not the call, or maybe it’s a bad call, right? It’s the call. Who knows whether it’s good or bad. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Trump’s choice of Vance aligns with his populist agenda and could help appeal to Midwestern voters. However, the selection has not been without controversy. Recently, Vance faced criticism for blaming President Biden’s campaign rhetoric for the assassination attempt on Trump, a statement that has intensified political tensions.
Other potential picks that were not chosen include Florida Senator Marco Rubio and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. As the Republican Party rallies behind its ticket, the Trump-Vance partnership represents a significant shift in the GOP’s direction, blending traditional conservatism with populist appeal in their pursuit of reclaiming the White House.
