Hello everyone! Let’s just say, that Sunday’s “Meet the Press” was a rough ride for moderator Kristen Welker, who found herself tangled up in her own questions while JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, expertly maneuvered through the topics at hand. It wasn’t just a debate—it was more like a masterclass in political judo, with Vance flipping the narrative back on Welker and the Democrats at every turn.
The discussion kicked off with Welker pressing Vance on Trump’s proposed blanket tariffs, which she suggested could hurt the middle class. But Vance was ready, not just to defend Trump’s record but to point out the glaring inconsistencies in the criticism.
He reminded Welker—and the audience—that Trump’s tariffs during his presidency were part of a strategy that brought manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and kept inflation low. Vance’s argument was clear: Kamala Harris’s warnings about the economic impact of tariffs don’t hold water, considering Trump’s past success with similar policies.
But Vance didn’t stop there. He delivered a line that cut straight to the heart of the issue: If Harris thinks Trump’s policies will fail now, why did they work so well before? The answer, Vance implied, is that they wouldn’t fail—they’d succeed just as they did the first time around. And just like that, Welker’s attempt to corner Vance fell flat.
WATCH: @JDVance DESTROYS NBC on Trump’s successful economic record
“We had 12,000 factories that were built during Donald Trump’s presidency, inflation never really ticked about 2% his entire administration.” pic.twitter.com/mO7XCvLKSm
— Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) August 25, 2024
The conversation then shifted to Trump’s comments on election integrity, a topic that’s always a lightning rod. Welker tried to suggest that Trump’s focus on preventing election fraud was undermining confidence in the electoral process.
But Vance wasn’t having it. He flipped the script, framing Trump’s concerns as a push for ensuring that every legal vote is counted and every illegal vote is not. It was a nuanced position that walked the line between supporting Trump’s rhetoric and advocating for fair election practices—a line that Vance managed to tread with impressive skill.
Even when Welker pushed harder, questioning whether Vance and Trump were truly on the same page, Vance didn’t waver. He confidently stated that they were, indeed, aligned on the importance of both persuading voters and safeguarding the integrity of the vote. When asked if he had faith that the 2024 election would be free and fair, Vance’s answer was a resounding yes, closing out the segment on a note of confidence and clarity.
Welker: “Why is Donald Trump casting doubt on the election before it’s even happened?”
JD Vance: “I don’t think that’s what Donald Trump is doing.”
Welker: “That’s what he’s doing.”
JD Vance: “I think what he is saying we want a persue a set policies in the Republican Party to… pic.twitter.com/T0V0Bxy6W9
— Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) August 25, 2024
What we saw was a politician who was not only prepared but also knew how to turn tough questions into opportunities to reinforce his and Trump’s positions. It was a textbook example of political finesse, leaving Welker looking like she’d walked right into a trap—one that Vance had set and sprung with a smile.