Walz-Vance debate updates: VP candidates tangle on abortion, immigration and Jan. 6
Vice presidential candidates Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance squared off for the first and only time this election season.
Unlike the last two presidential debates, the candidates appeared to be more cordial. However, both running mates criticized the presidential candidates on a host of issues including gun violence, reproductive rights, immigration and climate change.
Walz appeared to have nerves in the opening of debate, but went on the attack as the night went on. Vance took aim at Harris and her policies and pushed Trump's policies.
Latest Developments
Oct 1, 11:54 PM
After VP debate, Trump reiterates he doesn't want another debate
After the vice-presidential debate ended, and as Harris’ campaign continues to call for another debate between Harris and Trump, the former president is reiterating that he’s not interested in doing another debate.
"I beat Biden, I then beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again, too far down the line. Votes are already cast," Trump said in the post.
-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Soo Rin Kim and Kelsey Walsh
Oct 1, 11:40 PM
Vance says debate was chance to argue against 'caricature' of Trump
Following the debate, Vance told Fox News host Sean Hannity that he wanted to defend Trump against the “caricature" of the former president.
"One of the things I tried to do, Sean, obviously, is criticize Kamala Harris' record, but also remind the American people that Donald Trump is not the caricature that Kamala Harris and the media have made him out to be, that he was an incredibly effective president for four years in office, and he actually solved problems," Vance said.
Asked if he thought Walz looked nervous, Vance said he was nervous himself.
"It's the biggest stage of my life. So I didn't focus so much on his demeanor. I just tried to focus on what he was saying," he said. "And look, he did, to be fair to Tim Walz, he had a very tough job, and that is to defend the policies of Kamala Harris."
-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa
Oct 1, 11:30 PM
Harris campaign says Walz won the debate
Jen O’Malley Dillon, the campaign chair for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign released a statement claiming that Walz won the debate.
"He spoke passionately about the Vice President’s vision for a new way forward for the country. And in what was the most critical moment of the entire debate, which came in its final exchange, he stood up for our Constitution, while JD Vance admitted he’d put Trump ahead of the country," she said.
"The Governor showed once again that he will be an experienced governing partner on day one for Vice President Harris as they work together to deliver for working families," she added.
Oct 1, 11:39 PM
Walz grabs a slice of pizza after the debate
Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz were seen grabbing some food at a local pizzeria near CBS Studios following the debate.
Earlier in the day, the governor went for a jog in Central Park.
“I think it was a good debate, the public got to see a contrast, and I think the ending sums it up -- the democracy issue’s important," he said after several shouted questions from press about his debate performance.
Walz then did not answer two shouted questions about his answer during the debate about befriending school shooters. He also ignored a question about whether he was in Hong Kong for the Tiananmen Square massacre.
He did, however, mumble an answer about whether he would expand upon his faith.
“We’re Lutherans, we don’t talk about it,” he laughed to Gwen.
-Isabella Murray
Oct 1, 11:18 PM
Biden, Trump react to debate
Following the debate, President Joe Biden said Walz proved he "has what it takes" to be the vice president.
"Trust me, I know what a good vice president looks like," Biden wrote on X. "Tonight’s debate made it clear my friend @Tim_Walz has what it takes."
Former President Donald Trump said his running mate "crushed it" on his social media platform, and his campaign said Vance "perfectly articulated" the case for a second Trump administration.
Oct 1, 11:04 PM
Candidates shake hand again
Vance and Walz shook hands again after delivering their closing statements and remained on the debate stage chatting with each other briefly before being joined by their respective spouses.
Oct 1, 10:49 PM
Vance attacks Harris in closing statement
Vance ended the night with a closing statement focusing on Harris' policies.
The senator blamed Harris' policies for higher energy costs, housing costs and other goods.
"We need change. We need a new direction. We need a president who has already done this once before and did it well," he said.
Oct 1, 10:56 PM
Walz gives closing pitch
Walz said he was "proud" of the coalition Harris has been able to build since becoming the nominee, from Sen. Bernie Sanders to Taylor Swift.
"And they believe in a truly optimistic future for this country," he said.
Walz said Harris is giving people a "new way forward" while Vance would only stand for Trump's agenda.
Oct 1, 10:46 PM
Vance says Democrats have protested the results of elections
Vance said it's "really rich" for Democratic leaders to say Trump is a unique threat to democracy, saying Democrats protested the results of 2016 election.
"Hillary Clinton, in 2016, said that Donald Trump had the election stolen by Vladimir Putin because the Russians bought, like, $500,000 worth of Facebook ads," he said. "If we want to say that we need to respect the results of the election, I'm on board. But if we want to say, as Tim Walz is saying, that this is just a problem that Republicans have had, I don't buy that."
In response, Walz said, "Jan. 6 was not Facebook ads."
Oct 1, 11:12 PM
Walz brings up Pence's actions on Jan 6 to rebuke Trump
As Walz continued to criticize Vance for not condemning the Jan. 6 attacks and refusing to say if he would accept the 2024 election, he brought up Vance's predecessor, former Vice President Mike Pence.
"When Mike Pence made that decision to certify that election, that's why Mike Pence isn't on this stage," Walz said.
"What I'm concerned about is where is the firewall with Donald Trump? Where is the firewall if he knows, he could do anything, including taking an election, and his vice president's not going to stand to it. That's what we're asking you, America."
