In a recent CNN interview, GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance engaged in a contentious discussion with host Dana Bash about the Democratic policies of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Vance criticized these policies for negatively impacting Americans, contrasting them with the achievements of former President Trump.
He defended his characterization of Walz as “weird,” citing Walz’s demeanor during his VP announcement.
“We’re running against a set of policies that I think have failed the American people,” Vance said. “President Trump delivered lower prices, lower inflation, a prosperous and peaceful world and also a secure border and Kamala Harris’s policies have produced the exact opposite.”
“So I think that what it is, is two people, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who aren’t comfortable in their own skin because they aren’t comfortable with their policy positions for the American people. And so their name calling, instead of actually telling the American people how they’re going to make their lives better. I think that’s weird, Dana, but look, they can call me whatever they want to,” Vance said.
The conversation escalated when Vance addressed accusations regarding Walz’s military service, asserting that Walz misrepresented his experience for political advantage.
“He’s a veteran of a war nodding along in agreement instead of saying ‘no, no, no, I did serve my country and I did it honorably, but I never went to a war zone.’ I’m not criticizing Tim Walz’s service,” Vance said. “I’m criticizing the fact that he lied about his service for political gain, Dana. Now I served in the United States Marine Corps and you know this. And look, there are a lot of things that I’m proud about.”
“He knew he was going to Iraq,” Vance added. “He decided to quit — to retire; whatever word you want to use … because he wanted to run for Congress. He lied about that. He said that when he decided to retire, he did not know he was going to Iraq. That is another untruth, as even his senior military officer said.”
Vance emphasized the importance of honesty in political discourse, particularly in relation to Harris’s judgment.
“The truth is that Tim Walz didn’t tell the truth, and importantly, Dana, this is about Kamala Harris’ judgment.”
