JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, mocked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's military record, saying that Walz could only accurately say he visited a combat zone in Chicago. Treene fact-checked the joke, pointing out that the location was chosen long before Walz's military record was called into question.
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance has mocked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's military record, saying that the only place Walz can accurately say he visited a combat zone is Chicago. Vance's joke was a reference to Walz's previous statement that he served "in war" and carried "weapons of war" in combat, which CNN later fact-checked and found no evidence to support.
Vance made the joke during a rally in Kenosha, Wisconsin, saying, "My little theory about why they decided to have the convention in Chicago is, you know, Tim Walz has been going around saying that he served in war, and maybe they did it in Chicago, so that he could actually accurately say that he visited a combat zone."
JD Vance Mocks Tim Walz's Military Record, Treene Fact-Checks Joke
After the event, CNN reporter Alayna Treene corrected Vance's joke, saying that the location was chosen over a year ago. Vance responded by saying "lmao" and mocking Treene's fact-checking.
Other social media users also criticized Treene's post, saying that it was inappropriate to fact-check a joke.
JD Vance Mocks Tim Walz's Military Record, Treene Fact-Checks Joke
On Wednesday, Vance made another joke about Walz's "stolen valor" during former President Trump's first outdoor rally since the assassination attempt against him.
"What won’t ‘Stolen Valor’ Tim Walz fib about?" Vance said. "In fact, I believe in his next speech he’s probably going to say he survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. I think that’s what Tim Walz is going to claim next time."
JD Vance Mocks Tim Walz's Military Record, Treene Fact-Checks Joke
Walz's military service has been under scrutiny in recent weeks, with critics accusing him of lying about his record. Walz has denied the accusations and said that he was proud of his service.
The controversy surrounding Walz's military record is likely to continue in the lead-up to the Democratic National Convention, where he is expected to speak as the vice presidential candidate.
