Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance recently praised Donald Trump for the recent high-profile prisoner swap involving the United States, several Western nations, and Russia. Vance credited Trump, rather than the Biden administration, for the successful release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan from Russian prisons.
Vance characterized the prisoner swap as “great news” and expressed relief that these Americans are coming home. “It was ridiculous that they were in prison to begin with,” Vance said. He speculated that the swap was a sign of Trump’s enduring influence, suggesting that “bad guys all over the world” are making moves in anticipation of Trump’s potential return to office. Vance framed the swap as a testament to Trump’s strength, rather than the result of current diplomatic efforts.
“But we have to ask ourselves, why are they coming home?” Vance said. “And I think it’s because bad guys all over the world recognize Donald Trump’s about to be back in office, so they’re cleaning house. That’s a good thing, and I think it’s a testament to Donald Trump’s strength.”
In addition to his comments on the prisoner swap, Vance defended Trump’s controversial statements about Vice President Kamala Harris. During an interview with CNN’s Steve Contorno, Vance dismissed criticism of Trump’s remarks, which falsely claimed Harris, the biracial daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, “happened to turn Black” in recent years.
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Vance, who is the father of three biracial children, described Trump’s comments as “totally reasonable.” He criticized Harris for allegedly changing her public persona based on her audience and for using a “fake Southern accent” while campaigning in Atlanta.
“Look, all he said is that Kamala Harris is a chameleon,” he said.
When asked if he might also be considered a “chameleon” by his own standards, Vance responded by focusing on what he sees as inconsistencies in Kamala Harris’s policy positions. He criticized Harris for not clarifying her shifts on key issues from her 2019 presidential campaign.
“Why did she want to ban fracking and now oppose that stance? Why did she advocate for defunding the police and now reject that position? Why did she support opening the border and now take a different approach?” Vance asked.
“It’s one thing to change your mind, which is reasonable. But it’s another thing to avoid the media and refuse to address the American people’s questions,” he added.
Harris’ campaign responded sharply, calling Vance and Trump’s rhetoric “hatred and lies” aimed at dividing Americans. Spokesperson Sarafina Chitika accused them of lacking a positive vision for the country and focusing instead on divisive tactics.
Trump’s comments about Harris, which echoed previous racially charged rhetoric, were criticized as false and reminiscent of his past “birther” conspiracy theories against former President Barack Obama. Harris, born in Oakland, California, and educated at Howard University, has consistently embraced her dual heritage.
Vance also defended Trump’s indirect response to a question about his readiness for the presidency. Trump had stated he was prepared from Day One due to his diverse experience and argued that voters focus more on the top of the ticket than the vice presidential candidate.
“I’m absolutely ready to be president on Day One,” he said. “I’ve been a businessman, I’ve been a United States Marine, I’ve been a senator. I can do the job. But politically, he’s just right. People are voting for Donald Trump.”
Vance’s remarks highlight his alignment with Trump’s narrative and attempt to downplay criticisms of both Trump’s racially charged statements and the Biden administration’s diplomatic accomplishments.
