CNN anchor Jim Acosta was forced to rectify a statement made by Senator Tina Smith, a surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris, who inaccurately asserted that JD Vance had no military service.
CNN's Jim Acosta found himself in the unusual position of correcting a high-profile Democratic surrogate on Wednesday, after Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) mistakenly claimed that GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance had never served in the military. The error occurred during an interview with Acosta on CNN, where Smith was discussing the recent criticism of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's military service record by Vance.
Smith, who is actively supporting Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, stated, "Here is Tim Walz who enlisted when he was 17 years old, he served in the National Guard for 24 years. And I'm not aware of any military service that JD Vance has ever served, so let's just make the comparison there."
Acosta Corrects Harris Surrogate's False Claim on Vance's Military Service
Acosta, a former CNN White House correspondent known for his confrontational approach with former President Donald Trump, did not immediately interject but corrected Smith before she finished her next sentence. "He was in the Marines," Acosta said.
Smith responded, "OK, pardon me for that," before quickly moving on.
Acosta Corrects Harris Surrogate's False Claim on Vance's Military Service
The correction was necessary because Vance, a former bestselling author, enlisted in the Marines and served in Iraq as a corporal in the public affairs section of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. His military service has been a point of pride for him, and he has criticized Walz for allegedly dodging his military service by dropping out of the Army and not deploying to Iraq with his unit.
On Wednesday, Vance accused Walz of shirking his military duty, stating, "As a Marine who served his country in uniform when the United States Marine Corps, when the United States of America asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it. I did what they asked me to do, and I did it honorably."
Acosta Corrects Harris Surrogate's False Claim on Vance's Military Service
Vance added, "When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him, a fact that he's been criticized for aggressively by a lot of the people that he served with."
The correction by Acosta underscores the importance of accuracy in political discussions and the need for surrogates to be well-informed about the candidates they represent. It also highlights the continued relevance of military service in American politics, with candidates often using their military experience to bolster their credibility and connect with voters.
