JD Vance is happy to tell you about his Machiavellian politics

Vice President JD Vance has openly shrugged off the ethics of a campaign ad in Ohio, a stance that fits a pattern of his explaining, rather than hiding, a win-first approach to politics. The spot, released by Republican gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, uses the estranged mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton. Acton has said they have been apart since she was 12, after her mother remained with a stepfather who faced abuse charges. Several Ohio Republicans, among them Gov. Mike DeWine and Sen. Jon Husted, have kept their distance from the ad, according to CNN.

Vance told fellow Republicans that whether it was appropriate did not concern him, and that they should quit complaining and concentrate on winning in 13 days. At a later rally he praised the spot for exposing Acton as a liar.

CNN's analysis ties this to earlier episodes. In 2024 Vance told Dana Bash he would "create stories" to spotlight migration's effects in Springfield, Ohio, and he later reasoned that Aurora, Colorado, claims held some truth because its mayor objected. He also played down a racist group chat among young Republicans by pointing to Democrat Jay Jones.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →