Jesse Ventura says 'despicable' Vance is doing disservice to himself by belitting Walz's military record

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance's criticism of rival Tim Walz's military service record was denounced by former Minnesota governor and US Navy veteran Jesse Ventura as "despicable."

“I think that Vance is doing a disservice to himself, and a disservice to the United States Marine Corps…Marines show respect, and Vance is not showing respect,” Ventura told CNN’s Laura Coates on Friday, August 9, of the Ohio senator, who is also a Marine Corps veteran. “His point of being a Marine, like he is, and then criticizing the governor after 24 years of service, it’s despicable on his behalf for doing that,” he added.

JD Vance made headlines this week when he accused Tim Walz of 'stolen valor'

This week, JD Vance garnered media attention when he charged Tim Walz of "stolen valor," alluding to a video where the Democratic governor seemed to imply that he had witnessed battle in his two decades in the National Guard.

Ventura, a member of the US Navy in the Vietnam War, claimed that Vance's remarks regarding Walz violated an "unwritten rule among us veterans." “You don’t criticize another veteran,” the former WWE star, 73, insisted.

Tim Walz has faced renewed scrutiny over his military record since becoming Kamala Harris' deputy

Tim Walz, 60, was subject to fresh scrutiny on his service background following his confirmation on Tuesday, August 6, as Kamala Harris' running mate. The governor of Minnesota faced accusations not just of fabricating his combat experience but also of being "cowardly" for retiring in May 2005 and running for Congress rather than going to Iraq with his unit.

Jesse Ventura says not 'every veteran’s a knuckle dragger' 

Despite not having experienced direct combat in Vietnam, Jesse Ventura maintained that being close to the front lines did not validate a veteran's military record. He said, "Not every veteran's a knuckle dragger," a colloquial description for members of the US military who are infantry, special forces, or paramilitary.

“You don’t criticize another veteran and how they served! Whether they’re a cook or whatever they do, they all have a job to do,” he added, as per New York Post.

Jesse Ventura expressed dismay at JD Vance’s support for Donald Trump

Jesse Ventura, who supported Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign, was equally shocked by JD Vance's endorsement of Donald Trump, calling him "the biggest draft dodger of the Vietnam War." At the height of the Vietnam War, Trump, then 78, was medically spared from conscription because of bone spurs.

Donald Trump recently accused Kamala Harris and Tim Walz of running on a 'fake record'

Donald Trump charged that Tim Walz and Kamala Harris were running on a "fake record" at a Montana event on Friday night, August 9. This fall, Vance and Walz might square off in a vice presidential debate; but, Walz's former opponent cautioned the Ohio senator that such a confrontation was improbable.

“My advice to JD Vance is I wouldn’t want to make a hotel reservation and make sure it’s not refundable,” quipped Dr Scott Jensen, who ran against Walz in the heated 2022 Minnesota gubernatorial race. “If it’s politically strategic, I think he’ll do it regardless of what he told people he will do,” he added of the possibility that Walz could decide not to debate his opponent in the end.

Internet slams Jesse Ventura for defending Tim Walz

Netizens sided with JD Vance and lashed out at Jesse Ventura after he defended Tim Walz. One X user tweeted, "Jesse's brain broke during Covid." Another added, "Nobody cares what Jesse Ventura thinks. Stolen Valor is not acceptable from a VP." 

"This ain't the time or fight for you Jesse. Sit this one out," remarked one while someone else wrote, "Every veteran has the right to critique another for stolen valor." 

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