There is one winner.
During and after the first and only vice presidential debate on Tuesday night, reactions from conservative commentators on social media were overwhelmingly positive regarding JD Vance’s performance. Many praised him for his strong showing against Tim Walz, with notable figures like Clay Travis and Charlie Kirk declaring it a decisive victory. Travis described the debate as a “rout,” while Kirk shared a video montage highlighting the candidates’ facial expressions, emphasizing the one-sided nature of the contest.
Jessica Anderson, President of Sentinel Action Fund, expressed concerns about the Harris-Walz ticket, labeling it as one of the most radical in U.S. history. She criticized Walz for implementing what she called a far-left agenda in Minnesota, including lenient crime policies and stringent COVID-19 restrictions. According to Anderson, if elected Vice President, Walz would only extend this extremism alongside Kamala Harris.
Terry Schilling, President of the American Principles Project, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, also commended Vance’s performance, suggesting it could pave the way for a bright future in the Republican Party. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton highlighted Vance’s ability to effectively contrast Trump’s achievements with Harris’s record, reinforcing the belief that Vance emerged as a clear winner in the debate.
In contrast, the Harris campaign defended Walz’s performance, asserting he demonstrated strong leadership on crucial issues that resonate with American voters. Jen O’Malley Dillon, Campaign Chair for Harris-Walz, claimed that Walz’s arguments regarding topics such as the economy and healthcare highlighted a clear distinction between him and Vance. She emphasized that Walz stood up for constitutional values while Vance prioritized loyalty to Trump.
Following the debate, the Trump campaign affirmed that Vance delivered an exceptional performance, stating he “unequivocally won” and achieved what they called the best debate performance from any Vice Presidential candidate in history. The contrasting views from both campaigns illustrate the polarized opinions surrounding the debate and the candidates involved.
