US Vice President JD Vance targeted Democrats as the “party of hatred” on Thursday, urging voters to support the Republican Party for November’s midterm elections. This prime-time convention speech positioned him as a potential successor to President Donald Trump in 2028.
The 42-year-old vice president received a roaring ovation and chants of “JD! JD!” upon taking the stage at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
“This fall, Democrats are fielding candidates who will dictate what your children are allowed to say, how they are permitted to live, and who they should despise,” Vance stated.
“The Democrats are the party of hatred. They despise America and its builders, and they harbor sympathy for the terrorists who attacked on September 11,” he added.
Following Vance’s remarks, Trump returned to the stage to immediately praise his vice president.
“I want to thank our great vice president. What a job he did tonight!” Trump declared. “The Democrats are getting nervous.”
The president promised to keep his remarks brief before introducing a closing musical performance, noting, “I’m getting a little tired of politics now.”
However, he reiterated familiar campaign themes, attacking “radical left” Democrats and positioning himself as the focal point of the Republican midterm campaign.
“I’m not on the ballot, but you must pretend I am,” Trump told supporters.
Republicans face significant electoral pressure heading into November.
Election tracker Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats will secure the House 229-206, with the Senate leaning at 50-50. Meanwhile, Trump’s approval rating has stagnated in the low-to-mid 30s amid persistent inflation and an unpopular war with Iran.
Trump reiterated his extraordinary promise from Wednesday to distribute a $5,000 “Trump dividend” to every American adult if Republicans retain control of both congressional chambers.
Distributing $5,000 to each of the more than 276 million American adults aged 18 and older would incur a staggering cost of $1.384 trillion.
Faith, Family, and Fatherhood
Vance sought to sharpen the convention-long narrative portraying Democrats as extremists, arguing that internal Republican disagreements were minor compared to the rhetoric of the “far left.”
“I’m not asking you to agree with every policy of our administration,” Vance told the crowd.
“I’m asking you to recognize the contrast with the radicals and the achievements of the last 18 months.”
Family and fatherhood were prominent themes as Vance contrasted what he described as traditional values against the political left.
He also paid tribute to right-wing youth activist Charlie Kirk on the first anniversary of his killing, directly addressing Kirk’s young children.
“History will record that your father was a great man,” Vance told them.
Vance repeatedly accused his political opponents of attacking the traditional family.
“To the radicals who wish to abolish my family and the millions of other families across our country, we have a simple message: stay the hell away from our kids,” he stated.
Succession
Vance is widely regarded as an early front-runner for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, though he has stated he will not decide until after the midterms.
His appearance immediately preceding Trump’s closing remarks provided him with one of the convention’s most prominent speaking slots as Republicans consider their post-Trump future.
Speaking to reporters on the tarmac before departing Texas, Trump praised Vance.
“He did very well tonight, and he’s a very talented guy. He’s been a great vice president. I think he did a very good job,” Trump said.
The central Republican gamble remains whether Trump can mobilize voters personally loyal to him even when he is not actively running, without further alienating independents disillusioned with his presidency.
Vance’s appearance introduced the longer-term question of whether one of Trump’s potential successors can eventually inherit the political coalition he built.
Ed Williams, a 59-year-old engineer from Dallas, told AFP that Vance came across as “very charismatic” and addressed the issues important to “the America that I want.”
“I’m considering Vance very strongly for my presidential pick in 2028,” he said, as jubilant Republicans streamed out of the convention hall into a steamy Dallas night.
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