Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump surprised his running mate JD Vance by phoning the Ohio senator to ask a question during a televised town hall in Detroit, Michigan.
Vance was taking questions from an audience of undecided voters during the event hosted by NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo on Thursday when the former president called in with one of his own. Newsweek has contacted the Trump-Vance campaign team for comment via email.
“I do have a question, and I think it’ll be quite an interesting one. The answer should be easy. How brilliant is Donald J. Trump?” the former president asked, prompting laughter from Vance and members of the audience.
“Well, first of all, sir, this is supposed to be undecided voters. I would hope that I have your vote of all people,” Vance replied. “Of course, you’re very brilliant, we both agree, and it’s important to have very smart people running our government.”
The town hall in the key swing state of Michigan event was held just over a week from November’s election. Polls suggest that the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is neck-and-neck, meaning either ticket gaining support from those still undecided in battleground states could prove vital in determining the overall winner.
Donald Trump and U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) join family and friends at Ground Zero on September 11, 2024 in New York City. The former president phoned in and asked his running mate a question during Vance’s televised town hall in Detroit, Michigan.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Vance went on to recall a story when Trump spoke to the senator’s wife, Usha, during an event in Cincinnati a few months ago.
Vance said that his wife was “a bit nervous” to meet the former president, with Trump then asking Usha Vance what she thought about her husband being in public service.
“And she gives, if you know, my wife, a very diplomatic answer. ‘Sir, he really cares about the people of Ohio. He’s thrilled to be able to serve them, and I’m happy to support him however I can.’ And President Trump chuckles and goes, ‘Yeah, my wife hates it too.’
“It just immediately broke the barrier, and it wasn’t the former president, it was just a person talking to my wife and I think you guys were able to have a nice conversation. But that ability to relate to anybody in any environment, that’s the true brilliance of Donald J. Trump,” Vance added.
Trump then said, “maybe I’ll ask a second one,” and described how he watched Harris’ town hall on CNN the previous night.
“Believe it or not, CNN last night, I watched the town hall with Kamala. Now let me ask you a second topic—that was not good—how brilliant is Kamala?”
“That’s a very tough one, sir,” Vance replied. “I’m supposed to say …” the running mate continued before Cuomo injected with “bad stuff.”
“Don’t say it,” Trump added. “I don’t want to hear. We don’t need any more. We’re doing just fine.”
