Oct 16, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Vance goes all in on denying Trump lost the 2020 election

Sareen Habeshian

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) wears a necklace that reads "Bring Them Home Now!" as he speaks during a Philos Project October 7th Memorial Rally at the Washington Monument on October 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. The rally is one of many events around the world marking the one-year anniversary since Hamas mou — Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) on at the Washington Monument on Oct. 7 in Washington, DC. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) indicated he's aligned with former President Trump in outright denying the results of the 2020 election during a campaign rally in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday.

The big picture: Throughout the campaign, Vance has tip-toed around saying explicitly whether he believes Trump lost the election.

Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign has made Trump's rhetoric on election denial a central focus ahead of November, casting the GOP ticket as a threat to democracy.

Zoom in: Asked what message it sends to independent voters that he doesn't directly say whether he thinks Trump lost the 2020 election, Vance said, "I've answered this question directly a million times."

He continued, "No. I think there were serious problems in 2020. Did Trump lose the election in 2020? Not by the words that I would use."

Flashback: During the vice presidential debate earlier this month, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz asked his opponent whether he believes Trump lost the 2020 election.

Vance deflected, saying that he's "focused on the future."
"That is a damning non-answer," Walz retorted. He then referenced Vance's predecessor, saying, "Mike Pence made that decision to certify that election. That's why Mike Pence isn't on this stage."
Campaigning in Michigan after the debate, Vance again refused to say Trump lost in 2020.

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