During a campaign rally held by Vice President JD Vance in Hendersonville, North Carolina, attendees chanted “USA” after a protester disrupted the event on Monday. The individual interrupted the rally by shouting, “Release the Epstein files,” and “God, bless our children,” before security escorted him out.
Vance observed the situation and addressed the crowd shortly after. “I said that we have had zero illegal border crossings in the United States,” he noted as the audience responded with applause and laughter, adding, “But one isn’t bad right?”
He continued his speech by critiquing the protester’s stance. “We know what the guy yelling at us, behind us stood for. And we know what the far-left Democrats like Don Davis stand for,” Vance remarked. “They stand for the idea that your government exists for fraudsters or criminals or illegal aliens. When we know the American government exists for American citizens.”
The event took place on October 19, supporting Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley and Republican congressional candidate Jennifer Balkcom. Newsweek sought comments via email from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Vance, Balkcom, and Whatley.
The rally disruption happened a week after a similar incident at President Donald Trump’s rally in Youngstown, Ohio, when a female protester was pushed before being removed by law enforcement. Vance’s appearance in Hendersonville is part of a Republican strategy to bolster candidates in crucial House and Senate races ahead of Election Day. President Trump is scheduled to visit Greenville as part of the same campaign effort.
The Republican party is intensively campaigning with both Trump and Vance making appearances. This move is linked to declining Republican poll numbers as midterms near. Trump refers to this period as a 32-day campaign blitz leading to the November 3 elections.
In North Carolina, the Republican efforts aim to gain advantage in the Senate and two competitive House races. Trump, aside from North Carolina, is campaigning in Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Tennessee, Ohio, Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Georgia, and Kentucky. Vance has made separate appearances in Florida, Texas, and North Carolina.
Protester Details
The individual was located directly behind Vance, displaying a flag of North Carolina before starting to yell. Dressed in a plain gray T-shirt, the protester caught the audience’s attention as he was led away by security.
Vance addressed the situation, stating, “The unfortunate reality, ladies and gentlemen, is that the people the Democrats have put up against Michael and Jennifer, they’re props,” referencing the protester. He added, “That guy doesn’t know what he’s hollered about. He’s the person who did exactly what he was told.”
Political Context
Republicans are making a final push in North Carolina with the aim to win tight House races and help Republican Michael Whatley close the polling gap with Democrat Roy Cooper in the open U.S. Senate race. According to RealClearPolling, surveys conducted from September 15 to October 10 showed Cooper leading with 50.7 percent over Whatley’s 41.1 percent.
Vance’s trip to Hendersonville also engaged him in the race for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, where Republican Balkcom is contesting against Democrat Jamie Ager. According to WLOS, Vance’s visit was in support of Balkcom and Whatley. The Cook Political Report categorized North Carolina’s 1st and 11th Congressional District races as toss-ups, raising the stakes for the Republican campaign in the state.
Contact Newsweek editors regarding this story: Samantha Beech and Geoffrey Rowland.
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