Ohio Republican Senator JD Vance has joined the list of GOP members scurrying to distance themselves from The Heritage Foundation and Project 2025 after presumptive 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump disavowed any knowledge of the conservative political action plan.
Trump first claimed he knew nothing of the plan once embraced and touted by Republicans after The Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts made threats of domestic terrorism and a second American Revolution if conservatives don't get their way without opposition.
After Trump bailed on the controversial conservative policy document, most Republicans on the short-list to be Trump’s running mate followed suit, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Vance.
But the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign isn't letting them get away with playing Sgt. Schultz.
Biden-Harris HQ—the campaign's rapid response social media account—posted some video clips of Vance singing two very different tunes, one on mainstream media versus one speaking to right-wing supporters.
You can see the Biden-Harris campaign's X post here:
On a Sunday appearance on NBC's Meet The Press, Vance claimed to have no affiliation with The Heritage Foundation.
But in April of 2023, Vance delivered an address at The Heritage Foundation's 50th Anniversary Leadership Summit.
In his remarks, Vance said:
"I want to thank all of you for being here and I want to thank especially [Heritage Foundation president] Kevin Roberts and all of the Heritage Foundation for 50 years of incredible work on conservative policy."
The Trump faithful Senator then stated:
"I really believe that we are on the forefront of a new conservative majority in this country and we are going to hopefully in 2024 take back the White House."
"And this organization is going to play a major role in helping us figure out how to govern at the White House, at the Senate, at the House [of Representatives], and all across our great country."
Vance added:
"So Kevin thank you for your leadership and thanks for being at the forefront of the things that matter."
The Heritage Foundation playing a "major role in helping us to figure out how to govern" is a far cry from Vance's current public comments.
Others also weren't buying Republicans' selective amnesia.
@ZionDarkwood/X
When asked about Roberts' repeated threats, Vance told Meet The Press:
"...political violence is never justified... you'll have to ask the president of the Heritage Foundation to defend his remarks if you'd like to do that."
"I will say, look, the Heritage Foundation does a lot of good work."
@jaketapoer/Bluesky
@BillAckman/Twitter