Pete Buttigieg called 'envious' as he criticizes 'anti-Trump Republican' JD Vance's path to VP nomination

Referring to JD Vance's private remarks against Donald Trump, Pete Buttigieg said people like him 'say whatever they must to get ahead'
Pete Buttigieg slammed JD Vance's path to GOP VP nomination (Getty Images)
Pete Buttigieg slammed JD Vance's path to GOP VP nomination (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg criticized Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) drawing parallels between Vance's path to the GOP presidential journey of former Indiana Governor Mike Pence who served as Donald Trump's vice president.

Speaking on 'Real Time with Bill Maher' on Friday, July 20, Buttigieg highlighted the political transformations both figures underwent.

Pete Buttigieg doubles down on JD Vance's shift in allegiance

Referring to private remarks Vance made about Donald Trump in 2016, Buttigieg said, “Behind the scenes, apparently, he’s actually calling him Hitler, right?”

“Five years later, the way he gets ahead is that he’s the greatest guy since sliced bread. And I actually watched this exact same process with somebody else I got to know in my days in the Midwest, which was my former governor, Mike Pence,” he added.

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg announces he is endi
Pete Buttigieg doubles down on JD Vance's shift in allegiance (Getty Images)

Criticizing JD Vance's apparent shift in values, Buttigieg suggested it was a move to advance his political career, according to Huffpost.

"People like Vance say whatever they must to get ahead," said the former Democratic presidential candidate.

“Five years ago, that seemed like being the anti-Trump Republican, so that’s what he talked about,” he added.

JD Vance's transformation

Drawing further comparisons, Buttigieg recounted Pence's journey from "an evangelical Christian who cared about rectitude and family values, and then get on board with a guy who was mixed up with a porn star, make excuses for him so that he could have power.”

“He got four glorious years, I guess, as vice president of the United States," he said.

"And it ended on the west front of the Capitol with Trump supporters proposing that he be hanged for using the one shred of integrity he still had to stand up to an attempt to overthrow the government," he added.

“I hope things work out a little bit better for JD Vance than they did for Mike Pence,” said Buttigieg, speaking not “as a politician but as a human being.”

(Getty Images)
Donald Trump announced JD Vance as his running mate at the Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024 (Getty Images)

Internet slams Pete Buttigieg's criticism of JD Vance's VP nomination

As Buttigieg ripped Vance's "anti-Trump" record and path to the GOP VP nomination, netizens slammed Buttigieg for his remarks against the Ohio Senator.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "Pete can't fix a pothole and took 3 months paternity leave. He talks a lot and says nothing. Pete is worthless."



 

"OMG! I think JD is doing just fine, Pete is of no concern to anyone," a netizen commented while another user tweeted, "How’s it feel knowing your job is coming to an end?"



 



 

"Buttigieg is just envious he couldn’t get elected on a nation level," a user wrote and a netizen tweeted, "OMG! You don’t even know who your candidate is."



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The results reflected widespread voter frustration with the rising cost of living, the war in Iran and concerns about corruption within the government
2026-11-04T06:34:33.000Z
Amy Acton will succeed Republican Gov Mike DeWine, who was barred from seeking another term because of term limits
2026-11-04T06:16:28.000Z
James Talarico's campaign focused on economic inequality and challenging the influence of wealthy individuals in politics
2026-11-04T05:46:45.000Z
Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham in South Carolina’s Senate race, ending the state’s 20-year Republican hold on the seat
2026-11-04T05:21:22.000Z
A national exit poll put Donald Trump's approval rating at 38%, while nearly three-quarters of voters were unhappy with the country's direction
2026-11-04T04:55:51.000Z
Roy Cooper will succeed Thom Tillis, who retired after clashing with Trump over Medicaid cuts in the president’s tax and spending law
2026-11-04T04:46:53.000Z
Donald Trump claimed Fox News is losing viewers over its coverage of Democrats and cited CNN polling to defend his support
2026-11-04T04:43:29.000Z
Voter Rudy Martinez said a poll watcher gave him a look as he arrived to vote for Texas Democrat James Talarico, which he interpreted as racial bias
2026-11-04T04:16:51.000Z
Abdul El-Sayed clashed with Sky News reporter James Matthews, questioning why he wanted an interview when he couldn't vote in Michigan
2026-11-04T03:45:20.000Z
Marc Elias accused Trump’s DOJ of targeting his law firm, which represents Dem Senate candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign, calling the probe a 'sham'
2026-11-04T03:21:04.000Z