FLINT, MI — Senator J.D. Vance, who acknowledges he has faced personal losses due to his alliance with Donald Trump, is concluding his vice presidential campaign by urging voters to respect political differences. There is a noticeable divide.
“While I do not favor Kamala Harris or her policies, I believe that those who support her are fundamentally decent individuals,” stated Vance, the Republican from Ohio, during an interview on Monday’s campaign flight. “I truly believe that,” he added.
Vance also conveyed this sentiment at a rally leading up to Election Day.
At an event in Flint on Monday afternoon, Vance reminded hundreds of supporters packed into the theater that those who cast votes they disagree with are still “our fellow citizens.” In Pennsylvania the day prior, he made a similar appeal, asserting that if elected, he and Trump would “continue to care for Harris voters and strive to represent their interests,” he promised.
Despite occasionally being critical of Harris—describing her as someone who “might go to hell”—Vance emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue, especially given the escalating tensions surrounding the campaign.
During a rally for Trump in New York last week, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made derogatory jokes about Puerto Rico, which prompted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, to equate the event with a Nazi rally. Additionally, President Joe Biden reportedly referred to Trump supporters as “trash,” though it was later clarified by the White House that he was addressing Hinchcliffe specifically.
“I have yet to hear President Trump, either privately or publicly, label everyone who votes for the opposing side as antagonistic,” Vance said. “That’s not his approach.
Reflecting on his earlier skepticism of Trump, Vance recalled the disparaging comments made by Hillary Clinton regarding Trump supporters in 2016, calling it a “cage of deplorables” moment that angered him, even before he became a Trump supporter.
For Vance, the issue feels deeply personal. He shared that both he and his wife, Usha, have lost friends since openly supporting Trump in his 2022 Senate race in Ohio.
“While that was true during the Senate campaign, it has worsened as the vice presidential race approached. Friends my children used to play with or people I trusted have distanced themselves from us on political grounds,” Vance lamented, emphasizing how tragic it is when long-standing relationships are abandoned because of political beliefs.
“I’ve never thought, ‘I can’t be friends with you because you voted for Bernie [Sanders] or Biden’,” he continued. “That’s not how I operate. I have many faults, but I believe this is one of my strengths.”
On his final campaign day, Monday, Vance was set to make a whirlwind tour of critical states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Arriving at a local airport near his home in Cincinnati early that morning, he appeared weary, dressed casually in a hoodie, T-shirt, and jeans. As the campaign plane took off for La Crosse, Wisconsin, his team turned up Europe’s “Final Countdown” to energize everyone aboard.
Later, during stops in La Crosse and Flint, Vance was in a light-hearted mood, cracking jokes and sharing stories about art created by his three young children. Many of his long-term advisers also joined him for this culminating stretch, including Andy Slavian, Jay Chhabria, and Luke Thompson. In La Crosse, they even stopped for the iconic Old Style beer and recorded a light-hearted video outside the brewery.
“We’re enjoying ourselves,” Vance exclaimed. “Today is my last day. It feels strange, but I’m present.”
Reflecting on his campaign experience, Vance cherished the time spent traveling alongside his kids and wife, Usha, who assisted with campaign expenses.
“I saw this country through the eyes of my 7-year-old, 4-year-old, and 2-year-old, and they made some amusing observations,” Vance recalled. “Like the time my 4-year-old pointed at a cameraman and asked, ‘Dad, is that fake news?’ I had to tell him, ‘No, you can’t say that, son.’”
Vance chuckled at the memory but expressed frustration when discussing his main grievance as a candidate: the media coverage. He believed mainstream outlets heavily scrutinized Harris while glossing over important issues during the campaign.
“Meanwhile, [the media is] fixated on the ‘cat lady’ controversy and offhand comments Trump made at rallies,” he referred to issues surrounding Harris. “It was disappointing to witness such a lack of significant dialogue about real problems facing our country recently.”
Vance has been particularly vocal about his disappointment in the Washington Post, especially following a September article that criticized Trump based on messages he shared privately in 2020. He pointed out the paper’s consistently unfavorable coverage of him as well.
“The Washington Post has acted like a tabloid leaning left,” Vance claimed. “Whenever I engage with their reporters, I’m met with dismissal rather than fair questioning.”
A spokesperson for the Post declined to respond.
As Vance completed his campaign marathon, speculation about his future swirled. Whether victorious or not, the 40-year-old is expected to remain a significant figure in the Republican Party for years to come.
“Four more years of Trump, and eight more years with J.D. Vance!” Don Jr., Trump’s eldest son and Vance’s close ally, remarked during a recent event in Ohio.
In a recent interview, Vance referred to such discussions as “hypothetical,” but hints of a 2028 ambition emerged at a rally in New Hampshire. This state, once considered solid for Harris, is now viewed as a competitive battleground, coinciding with its status as the venue for the first Republican primary.
“I could see the excitement in the crowd,” Vance noted about the New Hampshire audience, iterating, “They’ve often been overlooked during broader election cycles, so I believe there’s a genuine opportunity here. This is why it was crucial to make a stop.”
Could this be an investment for his future?
“I’m hesitant to dwell on that,” Vance replied. “Consultants may say, ‘You did well here, consider this…’ but I don’t want to overthink anything. Life continues, and I maintain hope that America remains a great nation. My priority is winning; if we do, we can achieve a lot. But for now, I’ll focus on the present and tackle 2028 later.”
