Former GOP lawyer describes J.D. Vance's 'awkward darkness' after donut shop visit

David McAfee
August 25, 2024 

C-SPAN/screen grab

Donald Trump's pick for vice president, J.D. Vance, represents an "awkward darkness," according to former House Republican Congressional Committee Investigative Counsel Sophia Nelson, a lawyer who formerly worked on legal and advisory teams for several prominent Republicans.

Appearing on CNN on Sunday, Nelson was asked about Vance's recent "awkward interaction" at a donut shop. Vance is also currently in hot water with his neighbors.

"Retail politics is really important," the host says. The host then asks Nelson how Vice President Kamala Harris can do better on her upcoming bus tour.

Nelson replied, "I wish you had shown the clip with Vice President nominee Walz and his wife walking into a donut shop outside of Chicago after the convention and the reception was entirely different."

"The energy was entirely different. To my point, J.D. Vance has this kind of awkward darkness about him," she added. "This kind of like roughness. It's not a warm energy, it's like when you saw the dog at the firehouse, when Vice President Harris walked in into dog's just laying down and rolling around all over her. Animals have good instincts and people have good instincts."

Watch below or click the link.

'He should probably move': J.D. Vance's neighbors reportedly lashing out at V.P. candidate

David McAfee

August 25, 2024 

Donald Trump's pick for vice president, J.D. Vance, is in hot water with those in his community, according to a news report.

According to the Daily Beast, "JD Vance’s neighbors have slammed the vice presidential candidate after the Secret Service closed and [barricaded] a park near his home in Alexandria, Virginia."

The report states that the outrage came after "the city announced that it would be closing the Judy Lowe Neighborhood Park on Sunday and an adjacent block would be restricted to residents only after the Secret Service ramped up measures for Donald Trump’s running mate."

The report continues:

“'Beginning Sunday, August 25, and in response to a request from the United States Secret Service (USSS), the Judy Lowe Neighborhood Park, located at 1 & 7 E. Del Ray Ave., will be temporarily closed until further notice,' a city notice read, reported the local news website ALXnow."

ALXnow also cited backlash from the locals:

“I am all for protecting people, but if that park is such a danger, he should probably move,” someone identified as Thomas Blackwood reportedly said. “The park belongs to the city and the people of Alexandria not his protection staff. And to be perfectly honest, a true Republican would not want the government infringing on other people’s rights.”

The report also says, "Another commentator added that the park belongs to the residents of Alexandria, therefore, 'they should be able to freely use the City resources regardless who lives adjacent to the park. Let the Secret Service figure it out. What happens if some other high level protectee move in adjacent to some other park?'"

Another commentator on ALXnow, the report says, "attempted to add some levity to the situation. 'Oh for goodness sakes. Enough. The man is running for VP of the United States. No matter your political affiliation you should be proud your neighbor is willing to run for office,' they wrote. 'Shame on you for being so ugly.'"

Read the Daily Beast report here (subscription may be required).