Former President Donald Trump’s running mate came to Newtown Township and told a crowd of supporters his boss is the best choice in the November election.
U.S. Sen. JD Vance, an Ohio Republican, spoke to an energized crowd of more than 2,000 supporters at the Newtown Athletic Club in Newtown Township on Saturday.
The candidate, who was accompanied by his wife and kids, delivered a fiery speech in support of Trump’s 2024 campaign.
A reporter from this news organization was denied entry to the event for an unknown reason. A high-level staffer from the campaign later apologized and attempted to allow access, but the campaign’s actions were too late due to security measures. However, this news organization reviewed a recording of the speech provided (with much appreciation) by a reader in attendance.
Vance focused his remarks on criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration’s policies while highlighting what he sees as Trump’s accomplishments.
“In 38 days, we’re going to turn Pennsylvania red. Send Kamala Harris home and send Donald Trump back to the White House,” Vance declared to cheers from the audience.
Vance praised Trump as “the candidate of peace, the candidate who brought stability to the world.”
He contrasted this with the current administration’s foreign policy, criticizing the $200 billion spent on Ukraine and suggesting President Volodymyr Zelensky should thank American taxpayers for their support.
The senator took aim at Harris’ recent interview performance, characterizing her as “completely without substance” and lacking concrete plans for addressing issues like inflation and global conflicts.
“The problem with Kamala Harris is that she’s got no substance. The problem with Kamala Harris is that she’s got no plan,” Vance said.
On economic issues, Vance pointed to prices of groceries, energy, and housing.
Vance linked these economic challenges to immigration policy, claiming that the influx of immigrants has contributed to rising housing costs and brought drugs into the country.
The candidate, who has struggled with favorability in the polls and controversy over past comments about people without children, promised that a Trump administration would take swift action.
At one point, the crowd chanted: “Send them back!”
Vance also emphasized energy policy, pledging to revitalize the American energy sector, particularly in Pennsylvania.
“When Donald Trump is president, we are going to drill, baby, drill and bring back the great American energy economy,” he said.
Vance shared personal stories to illustrate the impact of economic policies on working-class families. He recalled times when his grandmother struggled to afford heating and food.
“I happen to believe whether you’re rich or poor, if you work hard and play by the rules, you ought to be able to turn your heat on in the middle of a cold winter night,” Vance said.
A Philadelphia Inquirer reporter asked Vance why he visited Bucks County when Trump lost the county in 2016 and 2020, which drew boos from the audience. Vance said the campaign is looking to “fight for every single vote.”
The rally featured appearances by Republican congressmen and other GOP speakers. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who was endorsed by Trump in 2020 and is a friend of Worthington, did not speak.
Vance thanked Jim Worthington, owner of the Newtown Athletic Club, for his support of the Trump campaign.
Vance flew into Trenton-Mercer Airport and traveled by motorcade to Newtown Township, arriving just past 4:20 p.m. He was back on the jet and in the air by 6:30 p.m.
Security was tighter than typical for a vice presidential candidate and included police from around Bucks County and sniper teams on rooftops.
Outside the rally, a few protesters heckled Vance as his motorcade arrived, as late-arriving supporters watched from afar.
One woman, Jess Smith, said she didn’t have a ticket to the rally, but she wanted to see all the activity around the venue.
“Maybe I can see him when he leaves his speech, but I wanted to see what this was all about and look at how many people were here to see JD Vance,” she said.
A group of Trump supporters were taking in the festivities and talked about their support for the campaign and frustration that Trump lost the 2020 election.
Members of the Falun Gong religious movement handed pamphlets to attendees about ending communism in China.
One of the women handing out the pamphlets said she supported Trump and didn’t think Harris would be a good leader. However, she said she would like to go to one of her rallies.
A number of vendors were selling Trump-branded gear and flags.
Around the same time, a large rally by Democrats was being held in Doylestown Borough, urging voters to support their candidates.
Onotse Omoyeni, Pennsylvania rapid response director for the Harris campaign, slammed the Trump campaign, stating Trump “only fights for himself.”
“JD Vance’s visit will be an important reminder of the extreme, job-killing policies he and Trump are promising to bring back if re-elected. Trump and JD Vance’s extreme Project 2025 agenda would ship jobs overseas and spike taxes by more than $4,000 per year, and to protect our economy and our families, we need to reject him again and elect Vice President Harris,” Omoyeni said.
At a Montgomery County event, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro was alongside Shonda Rhimes, the creator of “Grey’s Anatomy” and executive producer of “How to Get Away With Murder” and “Bridgerton,” and spoke of Vance, who the governor called an “absolute goofball.”
“He’s not being honest with himself, so he can’t be honest with the American people. That is why he’s making up bull every day, attacking our communities, and putting certain people down. He’s not comfortable with himself,” Shapiro said, adding that Trump and Vance want to “take away our freedoms.”
Before his stop in Newtown Township, Vance was at evangelical Christian conference hosted by a self-described prophet from Texas. The religious leader, Lance Wallnau, has claimed Harris has used “witchcraft” and called for Christians to have dominion over the population, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star and NBC News.
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