Trump claims running mates have 'no impact' on elections as he avoids questions on JD Vance

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Former president Donald Trump dodged questions about his pick for vice president, JD Vance, saying in an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention that the candidate had "no impact" on the election.

Trump announced in a social media post that he had selected Vance as his vice presidential pick for the November election.

Donald Trump dodges questions on JD Vance

During a Q&A session, Trump was asked if he thinks Vance would be ready to serve as VP should they win November’s election. He replied saying it doesn’t matter.

He said, "I’ve always had great respect for him but… historically, the vice president in terms of the election does not have any impact, I mean virtually any impact."

Trump also tried to play safe on Vance's comments on "childless cat ladies," saying that he was talking about his love for family. 

The former President said, "What he's saying is that he thinks the family experience is a very important thing. It's a very good thing. But that doesn't mean that if you grow up and you grow older and you don't meet somebody. That would be wonderful to meet and would have been good. That, that's a bad thing."

He added, "He's not saying that. That would be my interpretation. You'll have to ask him actually, but my interpretation is he's strongly family-oriented."

Many House Republicans criticized Trump's decision to select Vance as his VP pick warning him that the decision could turn out to be negative.

During a conversation with The Hill in July, Republicans seemed concerned about Vance’s foreign policy positions, lack of experience, and inability to expand the Republican coalition beyond Trump’s base.

A Republican said, "He was the worst choice of all the options. It was so bad I didn’t even think it was possible. Anti-Ukraine, more of a populist. He adds nothing to the Trump ticket. He energizes the same people that love Trump."

Another Republican added, "I think if you were to ask many people around this building, 9 out of 10 on our side would say he’s the wrong pick. He’s the only person who can do serious damage."

During the convention, Trump also made fun of Kamala Harris, and when questioned about Republican remarks that she is a DEI hire, Trump dodged the question by asking the journalist to explain DEI.

Trump said, "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now, she wants to be known as Black. So, I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?"

Internet trolls Trump as he dodges questions on JD Vance

Several internet users trolled Trump as he avoided questions about JD Vance and said that VP choice "does not have any impact" in terms of elections.

A user wrote on X, "He’s saying that now because of Vance but he called on Pence to overthrow the election so his opinion is null and void" while one added, "Oh he really regrets picking JD Vance."

A person also stated, "How can a guy who is running for president be so delusional???" whereas one mentioned, "Only someone worried that his VP will be a drag on the ticket would ever say this. If Donald had confidence in Vance, he would have been praising him as a boast to the ticket."

A user added, "Ha! Next Trump will say, I hardly know that guy Vance, don’t think I ever met him. #TrumpGhosting" while one wrote, "Had to switch it to, “virtually,” when he remembered there WILL be an impact on any White House furniture."

A person also commented, "Clearly he’s trying to distance himself from the flawed @JDVance pick" whereas one stated, "This one does. Not in a good way."

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.