J.D. Vance Refuses to Acknowledge Donald Trump Lost 2020 Election, Tim Walz Slams 'Damning Non-Answer'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (left) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.Photo:Chip Somodevilla/Getty

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 01: Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, participate in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Ohio Sen.J.D. Vancewould not acknowledge that former PresidentDonald Trumplost the 2020 presidential election during the vice presidential debate with Minnesota Gov.Tim Walzon Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Near the end of the debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City, Vance, 40, was asked about the events ofJan. 6, 2021, and Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results. Trump’s running mate said the former president “peacefully gave over power” on Jan. 20, 2021, although Trump became the first president since Richard Nixon tonot attend his successor’s inauguration.

Later, Walz, 60, asked Vance directly, “Did Donald Trump win the 2020 election?”

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 01: Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) participates in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election

“I’m focused on the future,” Vance said as he tried to discuss social media censorship instead.

“That’s a damning non-answer,” Walz, Vice PresidentKamala Harris’ running mate, said. “He lost the election. This is not a debate.”

“When Mike Pence made that decision to certify that election, that’s whyMike Penceisn’t on this stage,” Walz later said, referring to Trump’s 2016 and 2020 running mate, who certified the 2020 election results on Jan. 6 in his role as vice president. “What I’m concerned about is, where is the firewall with Donald Trump?”

“That’s what we’re asking you, America: Will you stand up?” Walz continued. “America, I think you’ve got a really clear choice on this election: Who’s going to honor democracy, and who’s going to honor Donald Trump?”

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (left) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.Al Drago/Getty

Senator JD Vance, a Republican from Ohio and Republican vice-presidential nominee, left, and Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota and Democratic vice-presidential nominee, shake hands while arriving for the first vice presidential debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York, US, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Historically, debates between the running mates of the major party nominees for president have a negligible effect on the contest for the White House, but with the race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris being so close, any boost for either ticket could make all the difference. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Al Drago/Getty

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Harris chose Walz as herrunning mate in early August. He was elected governor of Minnesota in 2018, after serving in Congress for 10 years.

Trump named Vance as hisrunning mate in early July. Vance gained national attention for writing the 2016 memoirHillbilly Elegyand has been Ohio’s junior U.S. Senator since 2023.

source: people.com

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