One-time 'Never Trumper' J.D. Vance has become a dependably loyal Trump defender | Opinion

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance on Monday joined former President Donald Trump’s entourage in the New York courtroom for Trump’s ongoing hush money trial. Vance is also billed as a "special guest" for a Trump fund-raising luncheon scheduled Wednesday in Cincinnati. And he's been a busy Trump surrogate on national talk shows, adding to speculation that he’s on Trump’s short list of possible running mates.

Quite a jump for a first-time candidate who a little more than two years ago was struggling in Ohio’s Republican Senate primary race. Trump’s endorsement helped lift Vance to the nomination, and he went on to victory in November 2022.

More: Trump to hold Cincinnati fundraiser with Sen. J.D. Vance amid vice president rumors

Vance said that while he would give a VP offer serious consideration, Trump hasn’t made it and his listing among top contenders "probably speaks more to the media’s fascination" with the speculation.

"Of course, I’ve seen the same reports as everyone else has seen, and I understand there is some sort of process there in the background, but no, I have not talked to the president (about it)," Vance said in a telephone interview last week, adding jokingly: "And if I do, we’ll certainly let you know."

Trump has said he doesn’t plan to make a choice until near the GOP convention in July.

Trump has carried Ohio handily twice, so adding Vance doesn’t boost him in a crucial swing state; nor would it add demographic appeal as a female, Black or Latino running mate might.

But Trump and Vance, only 39, seem when together in public to have a comfortable relationship, no doubt helped by Vance’s friendship with Donald Trump Jr. And Vance, a one-time "Never Trumper" turned supporter, has been a dependably loyal Trump defender in his recent media appearances.

Some critics scoffed at his answers under contentious questioning May 1 by Kaitlan Collins on her CNN show. Among other topics, she asked if he would hesitate to be Trump’s running mate given the danger Trump put Vice President Mike Pence in on Jan. 6, 2021. Vance replied that he was skeptical Pence’s life was ever in danger and that "in politics, people like to really exaggerate things from time to time."

Collins commented: "I think that Mike Pence would disagree with that, senator."

In our interview, Vance played down evidence that Trump plans a more authoritarian approach to governing if elected to a second term.

"My view on this is a lot of things that Trump says, people have a tendency to take it wildly out of proportion, wildly out of context," he said, offering Trump’s line about being dictator for a day as what Vance said was obviously a joking comment that drew outsized reaction.

Whatever Trump decides on a running mate. Vance will be supporting his presidential bid.

"I think in a lot of ways, Trump speaks for a large segment of the country," Vance said. "I think people are very frustrated with the Biden presidency and Trump I think presents an opportunity to turn the page and take the country in a different direction."

The New York Times reported Monday that Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the former University of Cincinnati football coach and a close Trump supporter, was also in court as former Trump attorney and now star prosecution witness Michael Cohen took the stand. Vance was critical of Cohen's credibility in comments to reporters outside the courtroom.

Dan Sewell is a regular Opinion contributor. Contact: dsewellrojos@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance on short list of potential Trump VP candidates