VP debate live updates: Vance thrived on stage while Walz struggled to find his footing

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.

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.

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.

Trump–Vance supporters convened outside the CBS Broadcast building in New York City hours before the vice presidential debate on Tuesday evening to show their support for Vance.

Groups of Republicans showed up decked out in Trump–Vance merchandise and U.S. flag decor to cheer for Vance.

Andrew Giuliani, the son of former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani, greeted some supporters outside of the CBS Broadcast Cente. He told The Independent he was confident Vance would perform well because he was well-prepared.

Trump’s advice to his running mate ahead of the presidential debate is simple: “Have fun”

“I said, JD, have fun,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday night.

Political reporter Eric Garcia gives an inside view of the unsexy work of being on pool duty during an action-filled day

President Joe Biden is cheering on Governor Tim Walz ahead of the vice presidential debate against JD Vance.

“Coach, I got your back tonight!” Biden wrote on X.

“Tonight, America will see the strong, principled, and effective leader I’ve known for years—and the contrast you and Kamala provide against the other team.”

JD Vance is currently one of the most well-known names in US politics. However, the Ohio Senator has run through several iterations throughout his lifetime.

Vance was as born James Donald Bowman in in Middletown, Ohio, in 1984, having been given the name of his biological father, Donald Bowman. His mother’s maiden name was Beverly Vance.

His childhood nickname was J.D., which he explained was pronounced “like ‘jay-dot-dee’” in his best-selling 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

Vance’s parents officially divorced when he was six years old, which he described as “the saddest I had ever felt,” in his book. He also described a “revolving door of father figures.”

After the divorce, Vance took the name of his mother’s third husband Bob Hamel, and his middle name was changed to David – that of one of his uncles – preserving his childhood nickname JD.

In their first and likely only debate, Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance will be performing against his Democratic rival Tim Walz for an audience of one: Trump himself.

That’s according to Vance’s one-time opponent Tim Ryan, the former Democratic congressman who lost a critical 2022 Senate race in Ohio against the Republican venture capitalist.

Ryan, among the only elected officials with experience on a debate stage with Vance, told NPR that Vance will likely turn “very aggressive at trying to frame the Harris-Walz ticket as super extreme, super out of touch.”

“They’ll be blamed for everything and the world’s going to end if they get elected,” Ryan said. “He’ll be hitting that hard because he has an audience of one, and that’s Donald Trump.”

Alex Woodward reports.