JD Vance’s Debate Prep Strategy Involves Enlisting Prominent Lawmaker to Portray Walz

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, has spent the past month reviewing strategies, plans, and preparing for potential tough questions ahead of the Oct. 1 CBS Vice Presidential Debate against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, according to a source familiar with the preparations of former President Trump’s running mate.

House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., was chosen to play Walz during mock debates to help Vance prepare for the Minnesota governor’s “folksy” Midwestern style, the source told Fox News Digital.

The source also shared that Vance has been conducting most of his debate prep at his home in Cincinnati or through virtual sessions with his team. Key members of Vance’s circle, including his wife Usha and Trump campaign strategist Jason Miller, have been involved in these sessions. They have been studying Walz’s debate style by watching videos from his previous campaigns.

Vance’s frequent media appearances have also played a role in his preparation, helping him gain experience in debating and responding to challenging questions from network hosts, the source added.

On the other side, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is reportedly playing JD Vance in Walz’s mock debates, as per the Associated Press, citing sources familiar with the Minnesota governor’s preparations.

Former President Trump already debated President Biden in a CNN-hosted debate on June 27, which led to Biden’s eventual withdrawal from the race and endorsement of Vice President Harris. After Trump and Harris squared off in Philadelphia on Sept. 10 during the second presidential debate of 2024 hosted by ABC News, Trump announced on TRUTH Social that there would be “no third debate.”

In contrast, Harris shared in a recent post on X that she would agree to an Oct. 23 debate hosted by CNN. Speaking at a campaign rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, Trump noted that Harris has participated in one debate while he has completed two, stating, “It’s too late to do another. I’d love to, in many ways, but it’s too late. The voting is cast.”