An old friend of JD Vance has gone public and accused the Vice Presidential candidate of lacking integrity, saying he has changed his mind and opinions about almost every political issue. Sofia Nelson knew JD Vance and his wife Usha when all three were law students at Yale, and Nelson says Vance has somewhat changed since then. Nelson, who identifies as “nonbinary,” first fell out with Vance when he said on record that kids should not be able to take body–altering drugs in line with radical gender ideology. Nonetheless, they were friends for ten years before that.
During a recent media interview, Nelson described Mr. Vance as a “chameleon” who has changed his view on “literally every imaginable issue” since he took his first steps into the political world. She suggested this was driven by a strong desire for wealth and power. Nelson added that she understands people can change their opinions when they learn more about or reflect on a particular topic, but insisted this is not the case with Vance, adding that the would-be Vice President completely transformed himself several times and only supports positions or views he thinks will make him more popular and bring him closer to power.
Nelson’s remarks are unlikely to shock those who have already expressed unease about Vance’s transition from a “never Trump guy” who believed the former President was “America’s Hitler” to an outspoken and apparently devoted Trump supporter.
As Vance attracts controversy after controversy, such as describing Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats as “childless cat ladies,” some Republicans have reportedly begun questioning the wisdom of Donald Trump’s choice. New reports indicate that some senior Republicans, including Senators, think Trump should ditch Mr. Vance. One unnamed Senator said the former President is likely “not real happy” about the kind of attention Vance is attracting, while others believe Mr. Trump should have chosen a person with broader appeal who could bring non-white and female voters on board.
Even before old clips about “cat ladies” surfaced, GOP luminaries were worried about Vance. Lawmakers, unwilling to go on public record with their comments, said Vance was the worst possible choice. One House Republican said, “It was so bad I didn’t think it was possible.” The same lawmaker claimed that nine out of ten GOP colleagues felt the same way.
GOP worries have only been exacerbated, argue others, by the seemingly flawless start to the Kamala Harris campaign. The Vice President has positioned herself as a law and order candidate standing against a convict and created an effective “not going back” chant for her rallies.
One Trump campaign insider anonymously told reporters that there are internal worries about Harris’s new-found broad appeal and that either the former President himself or his running mate will say something outrageous about the Vice President’s race or gender.
Trump, however, is standing by his choice, at least in public. He told Megyn Kelly that Vance is doing a great job, and his contentious comments merely reflect his deep love of family.