JD Vance allegedly offered secret strategy advice to Hillary Clinton to block Donald Trump
According to a source, Vance reached out to an intermediary who connected him with Jake Sullivan, then a senior adviser to the Clinton campaign. Vance proposed that Clinton travel to Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and other “Blue Wall” states to apologize for her 2002 Iraq War vote. The plan was not adopted, and Vance later voted for independent Evan McMullin. Clinton’s campaign denied that the suggestion was acted upon.
A campaign one outlet says JD Vance, then a political newcomer, sought to influence the 2016 election by urging Hillary Clinton to mount a Midwest apology tour over her 2002 Iraq War vote. Vance allegedly asked the intermediary to put him in touch with Jake Sullivan, who was then advising Clinton’s campaign, and conveyed the idea that she should visit Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and similar swing states. The source says Vance repeated the request despite initial rebuffs, emphasizing his belief that Trump could not win.
Clinton’s team never implemented the strategy, and Vance ultimately cast his ballot for Evan McMullin. A spokesperson for Vance rejected the portrayal that he was trying to help Clinton win, noting he only urged attention to working-class towns.
Why it matters
The claim reveals behind-the-scenes attempts by a future GOP leader to influence a past presidential race.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report the same allegation that J.D. Vance offered secret strategic advice to Hillary Clinton in 2016, but the left-leaning coverage highlights Vance’s denial and his stated focus on working-class towns, while the right-leaning coverage stresses the covert nature of the assistance and questions his motives in light of his later alignment with Trump.
LEFT
Frames the story as an allegation of secret advice that Vance denies, portraying him as merely trying to draw attention to working-class towns.
RIGHT
Frames the story as covert assistance that contrasts with Vance’s later Trump affiliation and probes whether his early support was genuine or self-serving.
The left emphasises
- Vance allegedly urged a Midwest apology tour over Clinton’s 2002 Iraq vote
- Vance’s spokesperson rejected the portrayal that he was trying to help Clinton win
- Vance said he only urged attention to working-class towns
The right emphasises
- Vance’s covert involvement with Clinton’s campaign
- Contrast with his later emergence as Trump’s vice-presidential pick
- Questioning whether his early support was a genuine effort to stop Trump or a stepping stone
In this story
Related stories
2 in this thread