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JD Vance says Trump 'got shot and toned down the temperature' and slams the media as he steps into the spotlight with first speech as running mate
J.D. Vance slammed the 'dishonest' media on Wednesday when he held his first campaign fundraising event since joining the Trump ticket.
He demonstrated the attack dog credentials that impressed Donald Trump in front of about 200 supporters gathered at a science center on the shores of Lake Michigan.
'The media keeps on saying they want somebody to tone down the temperature,' he said.
'Well, Donald Trump got shot and he toned down the temperature. That's what a real leader does.'
Wednesday is veep day. Later in the evening the 39-year-old hits prime time, delivering the Republican convention's big speech of the day as he is launched on the American public.
Donald Trump's running mate Sen. J.D. Vance spoke at a fundraiser on Wednesday. Later in the day he will deliver a primetime address as the campaign introduces him to the nation
Although he is known for his punchy defense of Trump and hardcore MAGA views, the speech will be his introduction to a wider public. He is expected to set out his military service—he was a Marine who spent time in Iraq—and talk about his family and tough upbringing.
But first came the VIP event at Milwaukee's Discovery World, where guests were offered Maine lobster rolls alongside crab and artichoke dip.
Vance brought reminders of his humble background, walking out to the banjo bluegrass of Merle Haggard's 'America First.'
He said he would have to be careful not to give away any details of the evening's big speech.
'I joked with the president that I'm very excited about this evening, and hopefully I don't screw it up, but if I do, it's too late. He made the bet, right? It's official now,' he said to laughter.
He said he planned to fire up the crowd and make the case for Trump to be reelected.
'The guy who actually connects with working people in this country is not fake Scranton Joe,' he said. 'It's real President Donald Trump.'
He promised to hang around after his speech for selfies and to chat with supporters. Then he apologized politely to a handful of journalists at the back of the room before launching into his attack.
'The media has lied more aggressively, and slanderously about a guy who keeps on coming through it,' he said.
'He keeps on persevering. He keeps on fighting. President Trump has taken everything that they've thrown at him.'
Wednesday is Veep day. Vance will deliver the big speech at the Republican convention in Milwaukee later in the day. His wife Usha will also speech
Vance will address delegates on Wednesday evening. He is seen here during a walkthrough on Tuesday, checking out the stage and lectern in the Fiserv Forum
Vance's wife Usha will take the stage to address the convention before her husband
Vendors have done a healthy trade in merchandise at the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The shooting on Saturday, he said, just emphasized the difference between the media caricature and the real man.
Vance got the nod 48 hours later, beating out more experienced hands Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Gov Doug Burgum of North Dakota.
Since then it has been a week of new experiences.
Within hours the Trump campaign released an image of his name being pasted on to the side of an aircraft beneath the former president's branding.
His security detail has been beefed up. Black SUVs with government plates were seen outside his home at the start of the week.
And on Monday he walked into the convention hall soon after being anointed Trump's running mate to an ecstatic reception from the party faithful.
Trump campaign aide Jason Miller released an image of Vance decals being added to a plane
Vance with Trump at the Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night before they listened to former rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis address the convention
Vance's tough upbringing, the son of an addict mother in southern Ohio, is a message that will connect with a broad swath of heartland America but he is not widely known outside his home state.
His wife Usha, the daughter of immigrants from India, will also speak as the Trump campaign in what is effectively the hard launch of their vice presidential pick.
Vance lacks political experience and was only elected to the Senate two years ago.
But the Yale Law School graduate packs intellectual heft, and is seen as the sort of VP who could help build out Trump's instinctive politics with a philosophical framework.
Vance's close relationship with Trump's eldest son Don Jr. and his slick television appearances helped him to the role.