Vice President JD Vance has raised eyebrows online after revealing his reasons for running for office.
During a visit to the Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton in California, positioned between Los Angeles and San Diego, on Saturday, October 18, Vance, a former Marine, shared his rationale for pursuing one of the most influential roles in the world.
Having served four years in the Marines and deployed to Iraq in 2005, Vance attended the Marines’ 250th anniversary celebration. The event was marked by grand displays including fighter jets, Navy vessels, helicopters, and live artillery from a towed howitzer.
This was the largest demonstration of its kind in the continental US in ten years, providing a fitting backdrop for Vance to disclose why he aspired to become vice president.
Addressing the crowd, he said, “You know, I’ve been asked many times why did I want to run for, and become, vice president of the United States – and there’s a lot of answers, of course, to that question.”
“I wanted to serve our wonderful commander in chief, President Donald J. Trump, and I know we’re proud of him.
“And, of course, I wanted to serve the American people and make their lives better, but really, deep down, I wanted the commandant of the Marine Corps to have to salute a member of the E4 Mafia, and now he has to.”
His statement puzzled many on social media.
“Not to serve America, people. To serve Donald Trump,” one user commented.
Another user criticized: “Yeah—Vance’s ‘service’ is just another loyalty oath to the cult leader, not our Constitution. Same dangerous vibe with Hegseth’s Christian nationalism masquerading as patriotism. America first, not Trump first! #VanceUnfit.”
Another individual expressed, “JD Vance’s admission of serving Trump over America is a disgrace. As VP, his oath is to the nation, not a single man. This loyalty swap mocks the Marine Corps’ values he claims to honor. Time to prioritize citizens, not cult leaders. #Vance #AmericaFirst #Trump.”
The event had its own setbacks, as the California Highway Patrol reported that shrapnel from a 155-millimeter shell exploded above prematurely, hitting two vehicles in Vance’s protective convoy on Interstate 5.
Thankfully, there were no injuries, but California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the risky decision to fire live rounds over a busy highway.
“Donald Trump and JD Vance put lives at risk to put on a show,” he posted on Twitter.
“If you want to honor our troops, open the government and pay them.”