At a rally on October 16, Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance made headlines by declaring, “Trump didn’t lose the 2020 election.” This statement, however, is only a part of Vance’s controversial narrative. In a 2014 email, he reportedly expressed feelings of contempt, stating, “I hate the police.” Recently, during an interview with The New York Times, Vance explained that this sentiment arose after a frustrating encounter with law enforcement following a theft from his car. However, records from the San Francisco Police Department indicate that this theft occurred in August 2015, raising questions about the veracity of his claims.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the newspaper requested records regarding the theft from the San Francisco Police Department, which confirmed the incident took place on August 15, 2015. Notably, the report wasn’t filed online until August 14, 2018—three years later. Vance reported that a suitcase was stolen after someone broke his car window while it was parked near the intersection of 16th and Mission Streets, which included personal and valuable items.
A spokesperson for Vance attempted to downplay his comments made to The New York Times, clarifying that his reaction was to a specific incident and not reflective of his overall stance toward law enforcement. Vance has faced criticism for past misleading statements, including an allegation that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing neighbors’ pets for food.
Additionally, many have mocked Vance’s dramatic political shift. Once a vocal critic of Trump’s in 2016, he has transformed into one of the former president’s staunchest allies. During the interview, The New York Times also highlighted Vance’s friendship with Sofia Nelson, a transgender woman, and how their communication, comprised of 90 emails and texts exchanged between 2014 and 2017, displayed mutual respect despite differing political views.
However, as Vance began to publicly advocate for banning gender-affirming medical care, their friendship faced strain. Intriguingly, his 2014 email to Nelson included the same phrase about hating the police. As he took the stage on October 16, his declaration about the 2020 election marked a shift in his approach; previously, he had often steered clear of questions regarding the election results.
