The recently uncovered messages involving Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance cast doubt on his previous claims of a genuine change of heart regarding former President Donald Trump.
While Vance had publicly expressed regret for his earlier criticisms of Trump, describing the former president as a good president and crediting his achievements, private direct messages obtained by The Washington Post paint a different picture.
In the private exchanges, Vance reportedly continued to criticize Trump as late as 2020, questioning his economic policies and predicting Joe Biden would defeat him in the upcoming election.
Despite later aligning himself with Trump and endorsing the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen, Vance’s earlier remarks suggest a complex relationship with the former president, at odds with his more recent public endorsements.
In response to the revelations, Vance’s spokesperson, William Martin, defended his previous remarks, claiming they were aimed at establishment Republicans, not Trump himself.
The new messages have fueled criticism, with some, like Vance’s former law school roommate, accusing him of hypocrisy and ideological opportunism in embracing Trump.
This controversy raises questions about Vance’s political authenticity and the extent to which personal ambition influenced his transformation from Trump critic to staunch supporter.