JD Vance calls himself ‘a pretty big upgrade’ over Kamala Harris

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance got a round of applause at a rally in Sterling Heights, Michigan, when he compared himself and fellow Trump administration officials to those who served under former President Joe Biden. The largest round of applause came when he compared himself to his predecessor, Kamala Harris.

The 42-year-old also pointed to the Department of Transportation, saying it highlights how the administration is moving things in a better direction.

JD Vance takes swipe at Pete Buttigieg

"I like to think I'm a pretty big upgrade over Kamala Harris," Vance said, prompting a positive reaction from the crowd.

Vance’s comments fit into his usual narrative; he keeps saying this administration is an improvement over the team from Biden and Harris’ time.

"I think maybe we've got the very best upgrade at the Department of Transportation," he said. "We used to have Pete Buttigieg, and now we have Sean Duffy."

Pete Buttigieg ran the Transportation Department under Biden from 2021 to 2025. Sean Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman and Fox Business host, has been in the role since Trump returned to office.

Vance didn’t dive into the policy details when comparing the two transportation secretaries. Instead, he kept things light, more about getting a laugh and some applause than dissecting their actions point by point.

JD Vance keeps stepping into the spotlight for the administration

Lately, Vance has become one of the administration’s go-to voices in public, regularly promoting their achievements and making sure people remember the differences from the Biden-Harris years.

He ran with Trump in 2024 and helped oust Biden and Harris, and he hasn’t let anyone forget it since stepping into office. That matchup still pops up in his speeches and interviews.

Vance keeps stepping into the spotlight for the administration, showing up at rallies, campaign stops, and all kinds of media interviews, always ready to back the White House’s positions on everything from trade to immigration. 

He’s not just staying close to Washington, either. Vance has become a top voice for the party, especially in tight midterm races.

He travels to key battleground states, working hard to campaign for Republican candidates. With Trump’s approval numbers sliding a bit in recent polls, the vice presdient has started to play an even bigger part in deciding how the administration presents its message as the November elections get closer.