Van Jones: Trump's VP Pick JD Vance a "Horror on the World Stage

CNN commentator and former Obama adviser Van Jones argues that Trump's running mate JD Vance represents a path that is "dangerous for the world." Jones says that Vance's selection cements the Republican Party's metamorphosis into a nationalist party.

CNN commentator and former Obama adviser Van Jones on Monday argued that former President Trump's new running mate represents a path that is "dangerous for the world."

"After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump announced via Truth Social just minutes after the Republican National Convention (RNC) was gaveled in.

Van Jones: Trump's VP Pick JD Vance a "Horror on the World Stage

Upon hearing the news, Van Jones argued on CNN that Vance being chosen matters because of "what he means for a Republican Party long-term. This is cementing a kind of nationalism."

Van Jones argued that Trump's choice of JD Vance and his VP will cement the Republican Party's metamorphosis. Jones said that while Trump represents an "instinctive, impulsive, intuitive nationalism. JD Vance is an ideological nationalist. That‘s a much more dangerous virus because he can make this- he can polish this stuff and make it seem palatable to people. He can sell this stuff to Silicon Valley, he can sell this stuff to other places."

Van Jones: Trump's VP Pick JD Vance a "Horror on the World Stage

The news commentator argued, "What it does is it locks the Republican Party on a pathway that I think is dangerous for the world. Again, the Ukrainians are now in deep trouble. NATO is now in deep trouble."

He said Trump’s choice of Vance rather than somebody who represents the old guard of the Republican Party is a signal he is committed to taking it in a new direction.

Van Jones: Trump's VP Pick JD Vance a "Horror on the World Stage

"You could have gone with Nikki Haley and signal to the world, ‘Hey, listen, I got to give stuff to my base, but I‘m not going to abandon the world.’ This pick is a horror on the world stage," Jones said. "So JD Vance matters because Donald Trump is pointing the Republican Party in a very scary direction for the long term." 

Republicans quickly shared congratulations and approval of Vance, with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., writing on X, "It’s great to have an opponent of endless wars and more aid to Ukraine on the ticket."

Van Jones' comments come as Trump continues to face criticism for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has repeatedly praised Putin, and he has been reluctant to criticize Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Trump's decision to select Vance as his running mate is seen by many as a further indication of his embrace of nationalism. Vance is a vocal critic of globalization and immigration, and he has called for the United States to withdraw from NATO.

Vance's selection is likely to please Trump's base, but it is also likely to alienate moderate voters. It remains to be seen whether Vance will be able to help Trump win the 2024 presidential election.