VP debate live updates: Vance thrived on stage while Walz struggled to find his footing
Vice presidential nominees JD Vance and Tim Walz keep the tone relatively civil on CBS debate stage in New York, even when discussing hot-button issues like abortion, immigration and gun control
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Ohio Senator JD Vance appeared more confident, polished and prepared than his Democratic rival, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, during their first and probably final vice presidential debate in New York City.
In a refreshingly calm contest, Vance spread falsehoods about illegal immigration and refused to admit that his running mate, Donald Trump, lost the 2020 election, yet largely managed to outperform Walz.
The Republican delivered a noticeably softer performance than usual and rarely wavered in his responses – even when confronted over his past comments about Trump and his recent false claim about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating residents’ pets.
Walz meanwhile struggled to find his footing, appearing nervous and unsure in some of his answers, but got more comfortable as the 90-minute showdown progressed and did well on abortion and January 6, although ultimately failed to outshine Vance.
Democrats had privately voiced concerns that Walz could underperform because of his tendency to get heated when defending his record in office. However, he did not live up to that expectation.
The most heated moment of the night came when moderators were forced to cut the candidates’ microphones as they sparred over immigration.
JD Vance and Tim Walz have mics cut as VP candidates spar over immigration
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Vance forced to confront his previous criticism of Trump on debate stage – and blames the media
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A Springfield business owner defended his Haitian employees. Now Trumpers are sending him death threats
Republicans have promoted theory about Tim Walz’s China visits
James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, wants the FBI to investigate what he is calling Walz’s “longstanding connections” to the Chinese Communist Party “that make him susceptible to the Party’s strategy of elite capture, which seeks to co-opt influential figures in elite political, cultural, and academic circles to influence the United States to the benefit of the communist regime and the detriment of Americans.”
Trump’s campaign tonight is calling him “Tiananmen Tim” and promoting a “federal congressional investigation” that his own ally is launching.
Walz taught English and American history in China through Harvard University’s WorldTeach program in the late 1980s. He later started a program called Educational Travel Adventures with his wife Gwen Walz, who is also a teacher, to organize summer trips to China for American high school students.
Walz was one of the “first government sanctioned groups of American educators” in China after the country opened its doors to the world in the 1980s, and he was in China during pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Moderators confront Walz on Hong Kong travel
Moderators have confronted Walz about a trip he claimed to have taken to Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests but got the exact dates incorrect.
Walz attempted to circumvent an answer but ultimately admitted he “misspoke” about the timing of the trip.
“I got there that summer and I misspoke on this,” Walz said.
He added, “I’m a knucklehead at times,” Walz said.”
Moderators cut microphones during immigration debate
CBS News moderators cut Vance and Walz’s microphones halfway through the vice presidential debate when both candidates began to interrupt one another to dispute the facts of Haitian immigrants’ legal status in Springfield, Ohio.
What comes next for the Harris campaign
Harris heads to Wisconsin, Walz to campaign to Pennsylvania. After the debate, Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will head to the swing states.
On Wednesday, fresh off his debate with JD Vance, Walz will campaign in Pennsylvania with Senator John Fetterman. Specifically, they will head to central Pennsylvania. Specifically, they will campaign in York.
Harris for her campaign will campaign in Fox Valley, Wisconsin, another crucial swing state.
Watch: Tim Walz makes opening statement in first vice-presidential debate
Fact check: Border crossings are at their lowest levels since 2020
Vance and Trump have both repeated claims that this past year has had the highest number of border crossings.
But data shows that is incorrect. Border crossings are at the lowest since 2020.
Vance gives vague answer on ‘mass deportation’ plan
Vance says Trump’s mass deportation plan would start with criminals – but didn’t give a specific explanation on how that would work.
The Republican vice presidential candidate repeated familiar claims that Trump makes during his rallies, that Kamala Harris is responsible for allowing migrants through the border who are bringing crime and opioids.
Vance did not give a specific answer about whether that deportation plan will separate families but said drug smugglers are using children as drug mules – something Walz said “is not true.”
On climate change, Vance denies carbon emissions are a major contributor
Moderators asked Vance about climate change as it relates to the recent devastating Hurricane Helene, which he acknowledged but also dismissed.
Vance expressed empathy for victims of the recent powerful storm but claimed that carbon emissions are not the primary contributor to climate change.
“A lot of people are justifiably worried about all these crazy weather patterns,” Vance said. He said a solution was to increase manufacturing and energy production in the United States.
Vance claimed he and Trump support clean air and water.
Walz off to a shaky start but voices support for Israel
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz began with a slightly shaky voice and “uhs” in between answering about whether he would support Israel in launching a preemptive strike.
Walz ultimately said it was “fundamental” for the U.S. to support Israel in getting hostages back.
He then immediately pivoted to attacking Trump.
Debate begins with a handshake
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance have taken to the debate stage in New York City.
The vice presidential candidates greeted one another with a handshake.
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