Donald Trump Nominated Republican Presidential Candidate, Picks JD Vance As Running Mate

Post his nomination as the Republican Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump has selected JD Vance, a senator from Ohio and author of the bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy," as his running mate. With this, Trump elevated a politician who once criticised the former president in acid terms but went on to become one of his most stalwart defenders.

Vance, 39, is married to Indian American Usha Chilukuri Vance, who traces her origins to Andhra Pradesh.

“After much deliberation and consideration of the immense talents of many others, I have determined that the best candidate for Vice President of the United States is Senator JD Vance of Ohio," Trump announced on his Truth Social network on Monday.

This statement from Trump coincided with the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

“JD served our country honorably in the Marine Corps, graduated summa cum laude from Ohio State University in just two years, and earned a law degree from Yale, where he was an editor of The Yale Law Journal and president of the Yale Law Veterans Association," the former president noted.

“JD’s book, ‘Hillbilly Elegy,’ became a major bestseller and a movie, celebrating the hardworking men and women of our country. He has also had a very successful business career in technology and finance. Now, during the campaign, he will focus strongly on the people he has always championed: the American workers and farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and beyond," Trump added.

Trump is set to be formally nominated by the Republican National Convention on Thursday.

‘What an honor’: Vance

Sharing his joy after Trump’s announcement, Vance took to X, writing, “Just overwhelmed with gratitude. What an honor it is to run alongside President Donald J. Trump. He delivered peace and prosperity once, and with your help, he’ll do it again. Onward to victory!

(With agency inputs)