Trump mocked as he says JD Vance was 'probably not' for him before becoming running mate

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Donald Trump responded to the harsh criticisms previously made by his vice presidential pick, Sen JD Vance, before Vance aligned himself with the MAGA movement.

In a joint interview with Fox News that aired on Monday, July 22, Trump acknowledged that Vance was "probably not" supportive of him initially. He then elaborated on his rationale for choosing Vance as his running mate.

"We've always had a good chemistry," the GOP presidential nominee said to host Jesse Watters, as per Raw Story. "And originally, JD was probably not for me, but he didn't know me."

Ending months of speculation, Trump anointed the Ohio Republican as his vice presidential pick on July 15, the day one of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Trump claims JD Vance likes him 'more than anybody'

In their first joint sit down for television, the real estate mogul, whose relationship with his former VP Mike Pence has been estranged since the 2020 election, attempted to tout his bromance with his new running mate.

"When we got to know each other, he liked me. Maybe, more than anybody liked me," Trump asserted. "And he would stick up for me and he would fight for the worker as much as I fight for the worker."

The MAGA spearhead further recalled backing Vance's 2022 Senate race in the Buckeye state, noting they had "an automatic chemistry." He added, "And I actually endorsed him in Ohio, for the Senate. And he ended up winning against a very tough field. Very tough field."

Prior to being a Trump ally, Vance was known for his vehement criticisms of his potential boss. When he announced his Senate race, a friend of his revealed a 2016 text conversation between them where Vance called the real estate mogul "America's Hitler."

Similarly, Vance criticized Trump on multiple occasions before seeking his endorsement for the Senate race. In a 2016 op-ed for The Atlantic, Vance compared the former president to "cultural heroin," and in a New York Times op-ed the same year, he stated that Trump was "unfit" to hold the office of president.

Despite once being a "never-Trump" critic and attacking him on social media following the release of the Access Hollywood tape, Vance relied on Trump to successfully enter national politics. Before seeking Trump's endorsement, he deleted all tweets criticizing the former president.

Internet mocks Trump for addressing the past attacks from JD Vance

Trump's remarks about how his relationship with Vance evolved from being rivals to allies sparked mockery online. Netizens quipped that the latter was paid to like the ex-president.

"Someone paid him to like you," a user said.

"JD Vance needed a political career. That’s what happened," another remarked.

"Oh. This is cringe!" Added a user.

"When someone calls you hitler…they definitely aren’t 'for you' lol," read a response. [sic]

"Two broken people. Yikes," another person chimed in.

"Are they going steady now? It didn't end well for his last work wife," someone else wrote, referring to his former VP, Mike Pence.

"He sold his Soul for Power and $. He thought through Trump he could accomplish this. And of course Trump looves adoration," an individual said. [sic]

"Lol nice to see he still doesn't have expectations in a VP other than being buddies at the local bar. It's not like they make decisions for the country. Oh wait, they do," another user added.

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