In first interview as VP candidate, JD Vance explains why he called Trump 'America's Hitler'

Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
308

JD Vance, the new GOP nominee for vice president, used his first interview since being named to the ticket to explain why he once called his running mate ? Donald Trump ? "America's Hitler."

Coinciding with President Joe Biden's highly anticipated NBC interview, Vance told Fox News he was initially wary of Trump in 2016.

"I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon who wouldn't be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he's America's Hitler," Vance wrote in a 2016 message to a friend.

Monday, the Ohio senator said he has changed his mind.

Jul 15, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; J.D. Vance was chosen to be President Trumpa€?s VP nominee in Milwaukee during the first day of the Republican National Convention. Mandatory Credit: Megan Smith-USA TODAY
Jul 15, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; J.D. Vance was chosen to be President Trumpa€?s VP nominee in Milwaukee during the first day of the Republican National Convention. Mandatory Credit: Megan Smith-USA TODAY

"I don't hide from that. I was certainly skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016, but President Trump was a great president and he changed my mind. I think he changed the minds of a lot of Americans," Vance told Fox's Sean Hannity in a friendly interview.

Democrats were also quick to criticize Vance's stance on abortion, after the GOP officially nominated the senator on day one of their convention.

An outspoken critic of abortion, Vance fell in line with Trump's public position that decisions around restrictions should be left to individual states.

"My view is that Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican Party, and his views on abortion are going to be the views that dominate this party and drive this party forward," Vance said when asked if he was in complete agreement with the former president.

"Alabama's going to make a different decision from California. That is a reasonable thing. And that's how I think we build some bridges and have some respect for one another."

Jul 15, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Sen. J.D. Vance (Ohio) is congratulated after being introduced. His wife Usha Chilukuri Vance, is at left during the first day of the Republican National Convention. The RNC kicked off the first day of the convention with the roll call vote of the states. Mandatory Credit: Mike Desisti-USA TODAY
Jul 15, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Sen. J.D. Vance (Ohio) is congratulated after being introduced. His wife Usha Chilukuri Vance, is at left during the first day of the Republican National Convention. The RNC kicked off the first day of the convention with the roll call vote of the states. Mandatory Credit: Mike Desisti-USA TODAY

Vance also addressed the recent assassination attempt against Trump, calling for an investigation into how Saturday's shooting was able to happen.

"Clearly mistakes were made," Vance told Fox News. "I mean, look, the Secret Service ran up there, and they put their bodies over him, they reacted quickly. That's not what worries me. What worries me is why was there a shooter 150 yards from the (former) president of the United States. It doesn't make an ounce of sense."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JD Vance explains why he once called Trump 'America's Hitler'

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