JD Vance criticizes Tim Walz for 'stolen valor garbage' and lying about his military service

DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Senator JD Vance accused Minnesota governor Tim Walz of fabricating aspects of his military service and misleading the country about his veteran status.

Vance's accusations against Kamala Harris' running mate came while answering questions from reporters at a campaign rally in Detroit.

JD Vance's response to Tim Walz's criticism

During the rally, a reporter asked about Tim Walz's attempt to depict JD Vance as a member of the elite, emphasizing his Ivy League education.

"I came from a family where nobody in my family had ever gone to law school. I grew up in a poor family," said Vance.

"The fact that Tim Walz wants to turn it into a bad thing, that I actually worked myself through college, through law school and made something myself — to me, that's the American dream," he continued.

"And if Tim Walz wants to insult it, I think that's frankly pretty bizarre," the GOP vice presidential nominee added, according to Fox News.

JD Vance defends his service record

Launching a a critique of Tim Walz's military service, JD Vance said, "As a Marine who served his country in uniform when the United States Marine Corps, when the United States of America asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it. I did what they asked me to do, and I did it honorably."

"When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him, a fact that he's been criticized for aggressively by a lot of the people that he served with," he continued.

"I think it's shameful to prepare your unit to go to Iraq, to make a promise that you're going to follow through, and then to drop out right before you actually have to go," the Ohio senator added.

Vance also called on reporters to hold both Walz and Harris accountable as the vice president has not taken questions from the press in the 17 days since President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race on July 21 and endorsed her as his replacement.

JD Vance highlights Tim Walz's remarks on gun control

JD Vance also highlighted Tim Walz's comments on gun control.

"He said, 'We shouldn't allow weapons that I used in war to be on America's streets.' Well, I wonder, Tim Walz, when were you ever in war? When was this? What was this weapon that you carried into war, given that you abandoned your unit right before they went to Iraq, and he has not spent a day in a combat zone? What bothers me about Tim Walz is the stolen valor garbage," Vance said.

Internet mocks JD Vance for blasting Tim Walz over 'stolen valor garbage'

As JD Vance accused Tim Walz of lying about his military service and his "stolen valor garbage," netizens mocked the Republican presidential nominee's statements.

One user on X wrote, "Imagine claiming that every veteran who served two decades in the military didn’t really serve, worse, really, that they had stolen valor if they did not see combat. The Republican party really sees our troops as losers and suckers, don’t they."

"It’s not stolen valor, Tim Walz retired after 24 years and served everyday Americans his entire life. JD Vance is owned by Silicon Valley and can only relate to the wealthy," a netizen commented while someone tweeted, "“Stolen Valor”? Vance just put his dirty foot in his mouth again, I guarantee most Vets will disagree with his assessment."

"First time I’ve ever heard a Marine Corp public affairs specialist talk about ‘stolen valor’. Like, dude," an individual penned and another user remarked, "JD Vance is so bad at this. It's amazing."

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