Senator JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, recently stirred up controversy due to his comments regarding the 2020 election. During a rally in Pennsylvania, when asked if he thought Trump lost to Biden, Vance simply replied “no.” This aligns with Trump and his allies’ persistent, yet unfounded, claims that the election was “stolen.”
Vance stated, “I think there were serious problems in 2020,” and added, “Did Donald Trump lose the election? Not by the words I would use.” He seemed indifferent to whether others agreed with his stance, after often dodging the question in previous discussions, including a debate with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former communications director for Trump, weighed in on CNN, suggesting that Vance’s refusal to accept the reality of Trump’s loss should disqualify him from consideration as vice president. She argued that Vance’s comments reflect a strategy to further his own political ambitions, as loyalty to Trump’s false narrative about the election has become a key requirement among Republican supporters.
“It should be disqualifying,” Griffin asserted, emphasizing it reflects on Vance’s character. She continued, noting that many disillusioned Republicans are growing weary of the falsehoods surrounding the 2020 election and that Vance’s comments could influence those voters this election cycle.
In her remarks, Griffin compared Vance’s position to that of Mike Pence, who is not on the ticket due to his certification of Biden’s win. Vance’s past opinions about Trump also show a stark evolution, as he once branded himself a “never Trumper” and questioned Trump’s leadership style.
Overall, Griffin’s comments highlight a significant divide within the party and emphasize the potential consequences of Vance’s stance on the 2020 election as the election approaches.