Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance accused the mainstream media of trying to portray Democratic vice president Kamala Harris as the “second coming of Abraham Lincoln” during a rally in Pennsylvania. Vance criticized the media’s portrayal of Harris, comparing it to their previous praise of President Joe Biden’s mental sharpness. Vance expressed his distrust of the mainstream media and highlighted the importance of having a “real” debate with his opponent Tim Walz, rather than participating in what he referred to as a “fake news media garbage” debate.
Vance’s comments on the media’s treatment of Harris and his desire for a genuine debate with Walz are consistent with his previous remarks about his mistrust of mainstream news outlets. Vance has expressed a desire to have multiple debates with Walz but emphasized the need for an open exchange of ideas in a setting with a genuine audience and fair parameters. He criticized what he perceives as biased and misleading coverage by mainstream media outlets and emphasized the importance of having a meaningful debate on the issues.
Vance’s public feud with CNN’s Brianna Keilar further highlighted his distrust of the media, as he accused her and the network of misrepresenting his military background. Keilar had questioned Vance’s military credentials, specifically his role as a combat correspondent, which Vance defended by highlighting his service in Iraq. Vance’s response to Keilar’s comments underscored his frustration with what he views as biased reporting and the need for accurate representation of his military service. Keilar later acknowledged Vance’s honorable service in Iraq during a subsequent monologue.
Overall, Vance’s criticisms of the mainstream media’s portrayal of Harris, his emphasis on the importance of genuine debates, and his defense of his military background reflect his broader distrust of mainstream news outlets and his commitment to transparent and fair discourse. Vance’s comments underscore the ongoing tensions between political figures and the media, particularly in the context of high-profile elections and debates. As the election campaign progresses, Vance’s approach to engaging with the media and his opponents will continue to shape public perceptions of his candidacy for vice president.
