WATCH: JD Vance gets booed at firefighters' union conference, calls them 'haters'
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Senator JD Vance (R-OH) did not receive the warmest reception during his speech at the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) conference in Boston on Thursday, August 29.
He spoke to the group just a day after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's IAFF speech. Vance attempted to position himself and former president Donald Trump as Republicans who stand apart from previous GOP administrations.
here's a longer video of JD Vance getting booed in Boston by a firefighters group pic.twitter.com/dHcCKbiUpR
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024
JD Vance attempts to pitch himself and Donald Trump as pro-worker
The GOP vice presidential candidate took the stage after being introduced by Rep Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), where he was met with a mix of boos and cheers from the audience, Raw Story noted.
Harris' campaign also shared the video captioning it, "JD Vance calls audience 'haters' as he is booed at firefighters union conference."
JD Vance calls audience “haters” as he is booed at firefighters union conference pic.twitter.com/J8TI94gAIt
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 29, 2024
Despite the less-than-welcoming reception, Vance remained composed and addressed the audience, saying, "Semper fi, guys. Sounds like we've got some fans and we've got some haters, that's okay! Listen to what I have to say here, and I'll make my pitch."
During his speech, Vance focused on promoting the blue-collar credentials of both himself and Trump.
"President Trump and I are proud to be the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history, and I want to talk about why we're fighting for working people, why we're going to fight for unions and non-union alike," Vance said, affirming his commitment to both union and non-union workers.
JD Vance and Tim Walz's comparison: 'A Tale of Two Campaigns'
Following JD Vance's speech, fan reactions began pouring in on social media, with some users drawing comparisons between the receptions of Vance and Tim Walz at the conference.
"A Tale of Two Campaigns. 1. Tim Walz cheered by firefighters. 2. JD Vance booed by firefighters," one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, sharing combined video clips of both political figures.
A Tale of Two Campaigns.
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) August 29, 2024
1. Tim Walz cheered by firefighters.
2. JD Vance booed by firefighters. pic.twitter.com/90fj83Cjy3
Despite the boos, some fans shared clips from the beginning of Vance's speech, showing moments when the audience cheered for him.
Here’s a longer video of the massive round of applause JD Vance received in Boston from a firefighters group
— William Martin (@wsmartin218) August 29, 2024
(Aaron really doesn’t want you to see this one)pic.twitter.com/lIncuXaHpU https://t.co/vdcdIaxAiv
Internet reacts to JD Vance's remarks as he's booed at IAFF conference
The mixed reception of JD Vance's speech also sparked various reactions online.
One user commented on X, saying, "'Fans and haters' are just called 'voters.'" Another remarked, "Ladies and gentleman. I present to you Mr. Awkward! I caution you, he will say anything for votes!"
Some reactions supported Vance's approach, with one user writing, "Good for JD Vance and Tim Walz understand what those firefighters go through."
Another person mocked, "Not embarrassing—he acknowledges fans and haters like a normal person instead of erasing/changing all of his old policy positions like Kamala."
"Fans and haters" are just called "voters."
— Are We Better Off? 🇺🇸 (@BetterOff2024) August 29, 2024
Ladies and gentleman. I present to you Mr. Awkward! I caution you, he will say anything for votes!
— Denison Barb (@DenisonBarbs) August 29, 2024
Good for JD Vance and Tim Walz understand what those firefighters go through.
— Lavondra (@TamikaB83635984) August 29, 2024
Not embarrassing- he acknowledges fans and haters like a normal person instead of erasing /changing all of his old policy position like Kamala
— Courtney Law (@msBehavingChick) August 29, 2024
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.