The debate between Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance was closely matched, with Vance earning marks from pundits for his steadiness and Walz winning on key policy issues in some voter polls — but a particular standout moment was when Vance refused to answer whether former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.
Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign immediately pounced on that moment — and within hours, had a new campaign ad using that footage to blast Vance and Trump.
"It's really rich for Democratic leaders to say that Donald Trump is a unique threat to democracy, when he peacefully gave over power," said Vance in the ad, which supercut his words with footage of Trump supporters violently rioting at the Capitol building on January 6.
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"He is still saying he didn't lose the election," said Walz in the next clip. "Did he lose the 2020 election?" Vance replied, "Tim, I'm focused on the future." To which Walz said, "That is a damning non-answer."
As the ad played more footage of the January 6 insurrection, words flashed on the screen: "If we elect Donald Trump, the past will be the future."
"America, I think you've got a real choice of who's gonna honor that democracy, and who's gonna honor Donald Trump," said Walz in the clip, as the ad concluded.
Aside from the January 6 questioning, critics have also highlighted a rough moment for Vance when he complained about the moderator fact-checking him, after she told him the migrants in Springfield, Ohio were there legally.
