JD Vance rouses RNC to cheers by taking jabs at Abdul El-Sayed and a protester who appeared with a Mexican flag to define what he calls American values

Vice President JD Vance took the stage at the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas to rally the base ahead of the midterms. Per the NY Post, the event became a platform for Vance to define what he calls American values, specifically calling out those he believes are distancing themselves from them. As part of that argument, he intentionally called out Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and a protester who came in with a Mexican and a Palestinian flag.

The arena was engaged in a ‘USA’ chant when a protester carrying a Mexican flag and a Palestinian flag allegedly began shouting. Vance reportedly pointed him out for the viewers at home and triggered a new wave of cheers when he fired back, “Well, my friend, if you love Mexico so much, get your ass over there. I’ll buy you the plane ticket.” He then used the incident to make a point.  

“Ladies and gentlemen, I had a whole speech written, but I think I got to change it because we just discovered the symbol of the far left.” He dismissed the incident as “an idiot waving … a Mexican flag at a protest when he should be waving the flag of the United States of America.” The NY Post highlighted that the moment underscored the RNC’s tone, focusing on the idea that the upcoming midterms are an existential fight for the country’s future.

Rehashing a feud

Vance also spent a significant portion of his speech focused on El-Sayed. The Guardian reported that the feud stems from comments El-Sayed made on X, where he questioned, “So do we think JD is taking [his wife] Usha with him back in time to meet Papaw, or no?” 

This tweet was reportedly made in response to Vance stating in a speech that he would struggle to explain the modern Democratic Party to his late grandfather, whom he called Papaw. El-Sayed later clarified to CNN that he would “rather not talk about spouses,” and that he believed referring to his grandfather meant that some people were “more American” than others. 

He asked why Vance’s “pawpaw” was mentioned if it wasn’t to call back to a time when people like El-Sayed or Vance’s wife were “less than normal.” Despite this argument, per the Post, Vance claimed that El-Sayed’s comments were a prime example of the state of the Democratic Party.

“He asked, mockingly, whether I’d bring Usha with me ‘back in time to meet Papaw,’” Vance recounted. “That is what he thinks of my grandfather — a man I loved, and who loved his family unconditionally. Abdul looks at him, sees the color of his skin, and decides that he could never have loved my wife.” Per the outlet, Vance went on to argue that El-Sayed, who was raised by his own white step-grandparents, understands the nature of such bonds but chose to attack his family regardless.

“This is who the Democrats are now. They aren’t the party of higher taxes and a little more regulation. They aren’t the party of FDR, or JFK, or even Bill Clinton. No—the Democrats are the party of hatred,” he said. He reportedly characterized the party as one that “despises America, and the people who built it,” adding that Democrats are “the party that can find sympathy for the terrorists who perpetrated 9/11.”

The Hill noted that Vance’s presence at the convention also triggered speculation about his own political future. Attendees were vocal about their support for him as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. When asked about the prospect of a future ticket, some supporters even suggested a “Vance-Rubio” pairing, highlighting the enthusiasm surrounding his current trajectory within the MAGA movement. 

Vance has been coy about his political plans, although he has engaged with the press a lot recently. At the RNC, the Hill noted that he focused on the immediate goal of winning the midterms. However, the room seemed to regard him as Trump’s de facto heir. Vance also took a moment to reflect on his friendship with the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He used Kirk’s legacy to reach out to voters who might disagree with the current administration’s policies. 

“I think Charlie is a great example of how to disagree, but still participate in the work of saving this country. He did not always agree with us. Let me just give you one example: Charlie hated war,” he reportedly said.  “Of course, there are people who love what we’ve done, people who don’t. I’m not here to litigate the disagreements. But what I’m asking you to do is do what Charlie did. Do not throw the baby out with your bathwater.”

Through the convention, Vance pushed a message to focus on the achievements of the Trump administration, including border security and economic efforts, while drawing a hard line against what he describes as radical elements within the Democratic Party.