At the RNC, JD Vance accepts the vice presidential nomination, highlights Trump's persistence and criticizes Biden

Vance said, “Tonight, Mr. President, I stand here humbly, and it gives me great pleasure to say that I officially accept your nomination for vice president of the United States.”

He praised Trump in his speech, calling him “tough” and saying he “cares about people.”

He also praised Trump's call for unity, saying, “My message to you, my fellow Republicans, is that we love this country and we are united to win.”

“I think our disagreements actually make us stronger,” he said.

In his inaugural address, Vance also spoke about the recent assassination attempt on Trump and emphasized the former president's dedication and determination to the nation.

“Look at that picture of him in that defiant pose, with his fist in the air. When Donald Trump stood on that field in Pennsylvania, all of America stood with him. And what did he tell us to do for our country? To fight. To fight for America,” Vance said of Trump's move to raise his fist and encourage rally attendees to “fight.”

He highlighted a poignant moment from the July 15 assassination attempt, when a bullet grazed Trump's ear during a rally in Pennsylvania. Vance called the iconic image of Trump standing with his fist raised in the face of danger a symbol of his unwavering commitment to America.

“Look at that picture of him with his fist in the air in a defiant pose,” Vance said, referring to the moment when Trump stood on the field in Pennsylvania. “When Donald Trump stood on the field in Pennsylvania, all of America stood with him. And what did he tell us to do for our country? To fight. To fight for America.”

Vance praised Trump's response to the assassination attempt and called it a testament to his leadership. “Even in his most dangerous moment, we were on his mind. His instincts were for us … calling us to something higher,” Vance stressed.

He reflected on the gravity of the situation, noting how a celebratory evening at the conference could have been marred by tragedy. “As we meet tonight, we cannot forget that this evening could have been very different. Instead of a day of celebration, it could have been a day of heartbreak and mourning.”

Vance praised Trump's dedication over the past eight years, even as he faced personal and political adversity. “Over the past eight years, President Trump has given everything he had to fight for the people of our country. He didn't need politics, but the country needed him… Rather than take the easier route, he chose to endure abuse, slander and persecution. He did it because he loves this country.”

The senator contrasted Trump's toughness and compassion, emphasizing that he is capable of both fierce resistance and national healing. “He's tough, but he cares about people. He can be fighting a killer one moment and demanding national healing the next.”

Trump, who was watching the speech from inside the stadium, stood to clap as Vance arrived on stage, signaling his approval of the 39-year-old Ohio senator.

In his speech, Vance also outlined a vision for the future of Trump's political movement, emphasizing that Trump expects him to continue leading the party even after his presidency—a role Trump did not envision for his previous vice president, Mike Pence.

Vance's speech was a mix of personal reflection and scathing political criticism. He began by addressing the gravity of the day, reflecting on the recent assassination attempt on Trump and stating that “tonight is a night of hope – a celebration of what America once was, what it will soon be again, with the grace of God.” He expressed that the evening would have been filled with “heartbreak and grief” if a tragedy had occurred as a result of the assassination attempt.

Vance also took the opportunity to criticize President Joe Biden's political record, drawing a stark contrast between Biden's past decisions and Trump's policies. He explained how, when he was in high school, “a career politician named Joe Biden supported NAFTA, a bad trade deal that sent countless good jobs to Mexico.”

He also pointed to Biden's support for the trade deal with China and the Iraq War, claiming these actions led to job losses and conflict in American communities. Vance asserted, “Somehow, a New York City real estate developer named Donald J. Trump was right on all of these issues while Biden was wrong.”

At the convention, Usha Vance, the wife of Trump's fellow candidate, took the stage to describe how they met at Yale Law School and spoke about their personal backgrounds.

Recalling their early relationship, Usha says, “We were friends first. He was then and now, the most interesting person I know – a working-class guy who overcame childhood traumas I couldn’t even imagine and got into Yale Law School, a tough Marine who served in Iraq but whose best pastimes were playing with puppies and watching the movie ‘Babe’.”

She also spoke about her background and said, “My background is very different from JD's. I grew up in a middle-class community in San Diego with two loving parents – both immigrants from India – and an amazing sister.”

Usha also said, “The fact that JD and I were able to meet, let alone fall in love and get married, is a testament to this great country.” This statement underscored her appreciation for the opportunities available in the U.S.

Usha Vance's family is Hindu, while JD Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019.

That same day, President Joe Biden cut short his campaign trip to Nevada after testing positive for COVID-19. The White House said Biden is experiencing mild symptoms as he grapples with a period of significant political pressure.

According to a senior Democratic adviser, “He's receptive. He's not as rebellious as he is publicly.” This comes amid growing calls from within the Democratic Party for Biden to reconsider his candidacy, reports CNN.