MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace sharply criticized Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) for his recent claims that Democrats’ rhetoric is responsible for the rise in political violence. Wallace pointed out the irony that Donald Trump’s current running mate is only on the 2024 ticket because a violent mob targeted Trump’s first running mate, former Vice President Mike Pence.
Wallace opened her Tuesday show by addressing Vance’s comments, in which he argued that no known attacks have occurred on Vice President Kamala Harris or President Joe Biden in the past two months, using this to suggest Democrats are not under threat. Vance’s remarks aimed to shift blame onto Democrats for allegedly inciting political violence.
In response, Wallace reminded her audience of a well-documented instance of political violence directly tied to Trump’s own rhetoric. “It is truly remarkable to hear comments like that from a man who’s only on the Republican ticket because the last person to serve as vice president to Donald Trump wouldn’t,” Wallace said. She highlighted the January 6th insurrection, where a violent mob, incited by Trump’s false election claims, chanted “Hang Mike Pence” after Pence refused to disrupt the certification of the 2020 election.
Wallace noted the lack of evidence in Vance’s accusations, stating that he “eagerly dispenses — without any shred of evidence — blame and assigns motives without anyone in law enforcement saying that that’s the case, for a universally condemned incident.”
She then pointed out that, unlike Vance, Democrats targeted by his remarks have been speaking the truth. Wallace played a clip of Vice President Kamala Harris at the National Association of Black Journalists, where Harris strongly condemned political violence.
In a sharp critique of Vance’s inconsistency, Wallace also aired a video contrasting his claims about Harris with Trump’s own attacks on her. While Vance accused “the left” of exaggerating fears about fascism, Trump has repeatedly labeled Harris a “Marxist, communist fascist,” fueling division and hostility.
Later in the segment, former FBI agent Pete Strzok joined the conversation, listing several instances where Trump publicly attacked individuals, followed by violent acts against those people. His examples served to highlight the dangerous consequences of inflammatory rhetoric, especially when paired with high-profile figures like Trump.
Wallace’s analysis painted a vivid picture of the double standard in Vance’s argument, underscoring the very real threats faced by political figures and how rhetoric from leaders like Trump can directly fuel violence.