VP debate live updates: Vance thrived on stage while Walz struggled to find his footing
Vance and Walz had a relatively civil debate even over hot-button issues like abortion, the economy, immigration, gun control and more
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Ohio Senator JD Vance appeared more confident, polished and prepared than Minnesota Governor Tim Walz during the vice presidential debate in New York City.
In the refreshingly calm debate, Vance spread falsehoods about immigration and refused to admit his running mate, Donald Trump, lost the 2020 election, yet he managed to outperform Walz.
Vance gave a noticeably softer performance than usual and rarely wavered in his responses – even when confronted with his past comments about Trump and his recent false claims about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio.
Meanwhile, Walz struggled to find his footing, he appeared nervous and unsure in some of his answers. The Democratic vice presidential nominee got more comfortable in the 90-minute debate, but his even-keeled answers failed to outshine some of Vance’s.
Democrats reportedly privately voiced concerns that Walz could underperform in the debate because of his tendency to get heated while defending his record in office. However, he did not live up to that expectation.
The most heated moment of the debate was when moderators were forced to cut the vice presidential nominees’ microphones because the two candidates sparred over immigration.
Vance swerves question on rejecting 2024 results
When confronted about election certification and January 6, Vance immediately pivoted to inflation and later to censorship.
Vance briefly answered moderators’ question, saying the 2020 election had “problems” and defended his running mate for telling rioters to go peacefully to the Capitol on January 6.
The Republican presidential candidate tried to make the attack on the Capitol appear like a health debate. However, more than 1,200 people have been charged in connection to the violent day.
Paid family medical leave is a staple of Walz’s governorship
Walz is advocating for more paid family medical leave on the debate stage.
Last year, Walz signed a bill to provide paid family medical leave with partial wage replacement for 12-20 weeks of leave in a 52-week period for medical leave or family care. That kicks in January 2026.
Walz passionately speaks about the Affordable Care Act
In response to Trump and Vance potentially overturning ACA, Walz reminds people that Trump did not successfully repeal the ACA while in office and the policy preserves healthcare coverage for those with preexisting conditions.
Walz, using his hands a lot, is passionately explaining why the ACA is important.
Vance claims migrants are contributing to housing prices
Supporting Trump’s mass deportation policies, Vance claims that migrants are contributing to high housing costs in the U.S.
An economic study said a mass deportation of eight million immigrants would increase consumer prices.
Fact Check: Vance claim on illegally obtained firearms is incorrect
Vance suggested that school shootings are due at least in part from “illegally obtained firearms” and guns from across the southern border, but most guns used in mass shootings were obtained legally, and guns are largely being trafficked in the other direction because they are easier to buy here.
Tender moment between Vance and Walz after the Democratic vice presidential nominee shared an emotional story about his son witnessing a mass shooting.
Vance turned to Walz to sympathize with him before addressing the cameras.
Debate resumes with a question on gun control
After a brief commercial break, we are back on the debate stage with moderators bringing up the topic of gun violence.
Both Vance and Walz agree that gun violence is a problem that needs to be solved but they have different ways of approaching the solution.
Vance cites mental health issues, crime rates and illegal gun ownership as the main contributors to these problems. Walz says it’s access to guns.
“We have to increase security in our schools,” Vance said. “We have to make the doors lock better, make the doors stronger, make the windows stronger.”
House Republicans voted to block the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from funding “any firearm injury and mortality prevention research” in 2023. Only four Republicans joined every Democrat in voting against it.
Fact check on abortion
A botched late-term abortion isn’t a thing, but Vance also falsely said he has “not supported a national ban.” During the Senate race, he said he supported Senator Lindsey Graham’s proposal to ban abortions at 15 weeks of pregnancy.
While Walz gets emotional discussing complicated and life-threatening pregnancies and abortion care, Vance invokes a woman who needed an abortion while skirting his support for preventing her from getting one.
Watch: JD Vance has his mic cut as VP candidates spar over immigration
Vance dances around abortion
When confronted with the issue of abortion, Vance repeated the same policies that Trump has: leave abortion up to the states.
Vance promoted “pro-family” ideas to support Americans raise children.
But when further pushed on his past statements about supporting a “national minimum standard”, Vance falsely claimed he never supported a national abortion “ban”.
On the issue of reproductive rights and abortion, Vance is a slightly disadvantage. Democrats have been campaigning hard on the issue.
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