In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has selected Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate for the upcoming presidential campaign. Vance, who once described Trump as “America’s Hitler” and “unfit” for the highest office, reportedly faced challenges in securing the vice-presidential nomination until the very last moment. The reasoning behind Trump’s decision has come under scrutiny.
Influential Endorsements
According to a report by Axios, three key figures influenced Trump’s decision to pick Vance: Tesla owner Elon Musk, ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and venture capitalist David Sacks. Vance learned of Trump’s selection just minutes before the former president’s announcement on Truth Social. Meanwhile, the runners-up—Senator Marco Rubio and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum—were notified on Monday noon, according to CNN.
Carlson, a strong supporter of Vance, believed he would appeal to working-class voters. However, Rupert Murdoch, former head of Fox News, advocated for Burgum. Sacks also supported Vance, having introduced him to Trump.
Carlson’s Influence
In an interview with Axios, Carlson stated that Vance fundamentally agrees with Trump, adding that this is why “neocon donors” fear him, especially those seeking more assistance for Ukraine amidst the war with Russia. Vance had previously attempted to block a $95 billion assistance package for Israel and Ukraine, asserting that the U.S. “can’t write blank checks indefinitely.”
Carlson’s Warning
Carlson reportedly warned Trump against choosing a “neocon” as his VP. According to sources, Carlson told Trump in a June call that Rubio was untrustworthy and might push the United States into nuclear war. He speculated that U.S. intelligence agencies would have reasons to “assassinate” Trump if he selected a “neocon” running mate.
Support for Vance
Vance’s supporters, including Musk, ran a campaign to ensure Trump chose Vance. Musk directly told Trump that a Trump-Vance ticket would be a “beautiful” combination. Donald Trump Jr. also pushed for Vance’s selection in both public and private meetings.
Praise from Musk and Sacks
Following the announcement, Musk praised Vance on X (formerly Twitter), calling Trump’s choice “great.” Sacks echoed this sentiment, calling Vance an “American patriot” and highlighting his service in the Marine Corps after the 9/11 attacks.
As Trump and Vance prepare for their first campaign rally together, the decision to select Vance as the vice-presidential candidate has generated significant attention and debate. With influential endorsements and strong support from key figures, the Trump-Vance ticket aims to unify the Republican Party and appeal to a broad base of voters.