ABOVE VIRGINIA — Ohio Sen. JD Vance took off from his home state Monday at Dayton airport aboard Trump Force Two — the specialized airplane the Donald Trump presidential campaign purchased for his use.
The Post was invited to tag along.
Vance showcased true loyalty to Trump in a 10-minute discussion with a small group of reporters during landing — and batted back the Democratic narrative that he’ll change the Republican platform where he differs from his boss.
“If I wanted the world to hear my vision on something like abortion, I’d run for president myself,” Vance said. “But I’m not. Donald Trump is. And he has a vision on those issues. That’s the vision I care about.”
Vance also told The Post it “doesn’t matter” who the Democrats select to replace Joe Biden as the presidential nominee, his vice president or someone else.
“That’s not my decision who that gets to be,” he said. “But it shouldn’t be up to Kamala Harris either. The voters must decide.”
The plane itself is a Boeing 737 and looks relatively new. The interior is filled with quotations and accolades from the Trump-Vance ticket such as “Drain the Swamp,” “Fair trade for American workers” and “Gas was $2.39 a gallon when Trump left office.”
There were at least three stewardesses on the flight, which included a full meal service for the hungry candidate. Leg room was much more spacious than what’s typically found on a 737.
“We need to make more of our own stuff, and we need to make it here,” Vance said. “We are going to fight for energy workers while Democrats want to buy our power from tinpot dictators around the world. You cannot build strong manufacturing without affordable, reliable energy.”
Energy independence is a major issue for the Republicans this year. At a Fayetteville, NC, campaign rally Thursday, Vice President Harris made a stunning claim, contrary to the evidence: “America has record energy production, and we are energy independent.”
Trump Force Two arrived at 4:45 pm in Roanoke, Va., where it’s already being readied for Vance’s next departure.
The beard is busy this election cycle.