Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance told reporters Wednesday that there were “serious problems” with the 2020 election and that then-President Donald Trump did not actually lose the race. suggested for the first time.
“Did Donald Trump lose the election? Not by the words I use,” Vance said in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. “But, look, I don’t really care whether you agree or disagree with me on this issue.”
Pressed by reporters later that day during another campaign stop in Wilmington, North Carolina, he said, “I think big tech companies rigged the 2020 election. That’s my view.” . And if you disagree with me, that’s okay. ”
This response comes despite Vance being given five opportunities to “admit that Trump did not win in 2020″ during an interview with The New York Times earlier this month. The decision was made in response to a non-response, saying, “I refused to do so.”
Trump notably lost the 2020 election, was convicted in May 2024 of 34 felonies for falsifying business records in a hush money trial in New York, and is currently facing numerous charges related to election interference. are.
The Harris campaign criticized Vance’s responses to questions about the 2020 election.
“Now we know: J.D. Vance has finally acknowledged that he is denying the results of the 2020 election,” Harris campaign spokesman Matt Corridoni said in a statement. “As Governor Walz said on the debate stage a few weeks ago, Donald Trump chose Mr. Vance for this very reason. He knows what it means to be a loyal soldier.”
Previously, Vance had avoided directly answering questions from Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz during debates should Trump lose the 2020 election. He also downplayed the January 6, 2021, riot.
“Tim, I’m focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in response to the 2020 coronavirus situation?” Vance said. Said.
In a September 2024 podcast interview, Vance responded to a question about what he would have done differently from former Vice President Mike Pence in January 2021: Discuss what actually matters and what kind of elections were held. ”
Vance has previously criticized Trump, comparing him to Hitler before the 2016 presidential election. He has shifted his focus to support Trump’s claim to deny the election, as he is running for vice presidential nomination.
Shortly before joining the Trump campaign, Vance claimed in an interview with ABC News This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos: In the 2020 election. ”
President Trump claimed there would be “bloodshed” if he did not win the 2024 election. He also argued that if Trump wins, his supporters will no longer need to vote, as Trump and his allies are laying the groundwork to challenge the 2024 election results.
