Former President Donald Trump has finally ended the suspense by announcing Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election. The announcement came on July 15, just before delegates at the Republican National Convention were set to nominate Trump and his vice-presidential pick.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump praised Vance, saying, “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.” Trump highlighted Vance’s impressive resume, including his service in the Marine Corps, his summa cum laude graduation from Ohio State University, and his stint at Yale Law School, where he was Editor of The Yale Law Journal and President of the Yale Law Veterans Association. Trump also mentioned Vance’s best-selling book, “Hillbilly Elegy,” and its adaptation into a movie, which celebrated the hardworking men and women of America.
Trump’s decision to pick Vance comes just two days after surviving an assassination attempt, a grim reminder of the vice president’s importance. The former president kept his choice under wraps for months, dropping hints and keeping everyone guessing.
Vance, at 39, brings a mix of Appalachian grit and Ivy League polish to the ticket. His rise from humble beginnings to a seat in the Senate was boosted by a controversial Trump endorsement in 2022. Despite having harshly criticized Trump during the 2016 campaign, Vance later came around, declaring Trump “the best president of my lifetime” for standing up to the mob.
Vance’s selection is strategic, aimed at galvanizing the base that Pence failed to secure. The statement from Trump’s camp took a direct swipe at Pence, suggesting Vance would be more compliant with Trump’s agenda. “Donald Trump picked J.D. Vance as his running mate because Vance will do what Mike Pence wouldn’t on January 6: bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and no matter the harm to the American people.”
Vice President Kamala Harris will face off against Vance in the upcoming vice-presidential debate, set for either July 23 or August 13. With his Appalachian roots and Ivy League background, Vance represents a calculated gamble by Trump to appeal to both the blue-collar base and the conservative intellectuals. It’s clear that this ticket is designed to shake things up and keep the MAGA movement energized.
