During a speech in Georgia, Senator JD Vance of Ohio gave the audience a peek behind the scenes into a surreal conversation he had with former President Donald Trump following a recent assassination attempt.
Just the day before, Trump had been playing a round of golf at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when Secret Service agents were forced to open fire on a gunman who had poked a rifle through the club’s fence.
Trump’s response? Frustration—not over the attempt on his life, but because the incident interrupted his game. Vance recounted the moment Trump called him to share the news, saying, “JD, you’re not going to believe this, but they tried to do it again.”
Like anyone would be, Vance was initially incredulous, thinking it might be a joke. But when Trump explained that the Secret Service had thwarted the threat while he was on the golf course, Vance’s concern turned to disbelief.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Trump’s focus remained on the game. According to Vance, Trump was more upset that the agents wouldn’t let him finish his birdie putt on the 6th hole. “That’s just who Donald Trump is,” Vance quipped to the crowd, eliciting laughter. He highlighted how Trump, unfazed by the attempt on his life, was more “pissed off” about the disruption to his golf game than anything else.
.@JDVance shares the moment President Trump told him yesterday that he was nearly assassinated again:
"I said 'are you okay' -- He said 'I'm a little mad because I was about to make a birdie putt on the 6th hole and they wouldn't let me finish' -- That is kind of the guy you… pic.twitter.com/ybh8ZQ7w7O
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 16, 2024
Vance shared that he was more shaken by the incident than Trump, using it as an opportunity to praise the former president’s resilience. “That is kind of the guy that you want to be president of the United States, right?”
Vance said, noting how Trump’s ability to make jokes right after the scare demonstrates his unflappable nature. For Vance, this kind of composure is exactly what a leader should possess.
However, Vance didn’t stop there. He took a more serious turn, using the moment to call for an end to the “ridiculous and inflammatory political rhetoric” that has plagued the current climate. His call for calmer, more respectful political dialogue resonated with the audience, earning him a round of applause.