Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance has accused the mainstream media of attempting to elevate Vice President Kamala Harris to the status of a historical figure, comparable to Abraham Lincoln. He made these remarks at a rally in New Kensington, Pennsylvania on Thursday.
Vance alleged that the media is portraying Harris as the “second coming of Abraham Lincoln,” contrasting this with their coverage of President Biden. He argued that for three and a half years, the media presented Biden as exceptionally sharp and intelligent, despite any evidence to the contrary. He claimed that the media is now adopting a different approach with Harris, attempting to create an image of her as a visionary leader.
Vance’s comments are part of a broader trend of Republican candidates criticizing the mainstream media. He has frequently expressed distrust of the media, especially since being chosen as former President Donald Trump’s running mate.
In a separate interview with Fox News, Vance stated that he wants to engage in multiple debates with his vice-presidential opponent, Tim Walz, but he insists on “real” debates, devoid of any perceived manipulation by the media. He criticized what he called “fake news media garbage debates,” where the audience and parameters are controlled by the media, preventing a genuine exchange of ideas.
Vance’s comments have sparked controversy, particularly after he publicly clashed with CNN anchor Brianna Keilar over her questioning of his military service record. Keilar had suggested that Vance’s role as a “combat correspondent” during his military deployment in Iraq might be misleading, as he was technically a public affairs specialist and did not see combat. Vance vehemently defended his service record, accusing Keilar and CNN of deliberately misrepresenting his role. He further criticized Keilar’s comments as “disgusting” and called for an apology from the network.
In response to the backlash, Keilar later walked back her comments, acknowledging that Vance had served honorably in Iraq.
Vance’s accusations of media bias and his insistence on “real” debates highlight a growing trend of political figures questioning the role and influence of the mainstream media. The debate over media impartiality and its impact on political discourse is likely to continue as the 2024 election cycle progresses.
