Ohio Senator J.D. Vance has pushed back against reports suggesting that former President Donald Trump, his running mate in the upcoming presidential election, is struggling with his mood and lashing out at those around him.
In a recent interview on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle, Vance portrayed a very different image of Trump, one marked by optimism, humor, and confidence, directly contradicting claims that the former president is increasingly frustrated as the race intensifies.
When Fox News host Laura Ingraham brought up reports that Trump was "in a bad mood" and "snapping at people," Vance took the opportunity to set the record straight. "He's in a great mood," Vance asserted. "I mean, he just got shot a month ago, of course, and you wouldn't know it seeing or talking to the guy. But I think he feels extremely confident about how we're doing in the election."
Vance continued by describing Trump as someone who is "having a good time" on the campaign trail. According to Vance, the former president is not only upbeat but also engaging with his supporters in a way that reflects his confidence in the outcome of the race.
"He's laughing. He's telling jokes. He calls people and just wants to shoot the breeze and understand what's happening in the country," Vance said, emphasizing that Trump remains focused on his goal of serving the American people.
The Ohio Senator's remarks come at a critical time for the Trump campaign, which has faced a series of challenges, including a noticeable dip in the polls. Since selecting Vance as his vice-presidential pick, Trump has seen his lead over Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris shrink. According to the latest Emerson poll, Harris now holds a four-point lead over Trump, with 50 percent of likely voters backing her compared to Trump's 46 percent. Even typically favorable outlets, such as Fox News, show the race as a statistical tie.
Amid these challenges, some former Trump aides have voiced concerns about the campaign's direction. Sarah Matthews, who served as a spokesperson during Trump's presidency, suggested on MSNBC that Trump might be sensing the election slipping away. "I think that he feels this election slipping away from him, and that's where you're beginning to see him spiral," Matthews commented, adding that she does not support a second Trump term.
Despite these concerns, Vance remains adamant that the former president is anything but discouraged. He dismissed the negative portrayals as typical media exaggeration, insisting that Trump is confident in his ability to win.
"It's such a dishonest piece of garbage that the media says that he's somehow frustrated or upset," Vance said, reiterating that Trump knows he will be a strong leader if given another term in the White House.
