Vance-Walz VP debate live updates: Latest coverage and analysis

When JD Vance began law school at Yale, the Rust Belt native encountered total culture shock — but also met his wife, the whipsmart daughter of Indian immigrants who helped him navigate the Ivy League, healthy relationships and his run for Vice President alongside Donald Trump. Sheila Flynn chronicles their romance

Vance did what he needed to do.

For the longest time, one of his biggest downsides is that he has come off as too abrasive or mean-spirited. Here, we saw the Vance that made Hillbilly Elegy a bestseller.

He talked about the woman who raised him—his mamaw—and the fact they were Democrats. He mentioned his three children where in the past he has said he told his kid to “shut up” about talking about Pokémon. Vance mostly succeeded when talking about himself. But he fell short when he tried to skate past his previous comments about Springfield, Ohio or when he talked about how he changed his mind.

Toward the end, we started to see the hard right warrior Vance we have seen since he ran for Senate. He talked about big tech censorship and said it was a bigger issue than the 2020 election. That might be enough to hurt him

Both candidates maintained a more even-toned attitude than expected going into the debate, but ultimately Vance seemed more confident in his answers.

At the start of the debate, Walz’s nerves were palpable as he tried to deliver an answer on Israel. His confidence got better throughout the debate and he delivered more punching answers toward the end.

But Vance ultimately seemed more unbothered and well-prepared for the vice presidential debate.

In their closing statements, Walz maintained a positive outlook of the United States while Vance attacked Harris.

The Democratic vice presidential candidate reminded people that Harris wants to create a more affordable, accessible country for everyone. It was reminiscent of the beginning of the Harris–Walz campaign when they promoted a message of hope for a better future.

But Vance spent most of his closing statement attacking Harris and her policies – a familiar strategy that Trump invokes in his rallies and speeches.

Walz is having a notably strong moment while denouncing January 6 and confronting Vance for refusing to admit Trump lost the 2020 election.

The Democratic vice presidential candidate asked Vance if he believed Trump won the 2020 election, to which Vance said he wanted to focus on the future.

“That is a damning nonanswer,” Walz said.

The Minnesota governor is warning Americans that this discourse over January 6 and the 2020 election. “has got to stop”

“It’s tearing our country apart,” Walz said. He urged Americans to vote for the person who will uphold democracy.

When confronted about election certification and January 6, Vance immediately pivoted to inflation and later to censorship.

Vance briefly answered moderators’ question, saying the 2020 election had “problems” and defended his running mate for telling rioters to go peacefully to the Capitol on January 6.

The Republican presidential candidate tried to make the attack on the Capitol appear like a health debate. However, more than 1,200 people have been charged in connection to the violent day.

Walz is advocating for more paid family medical leave on the debate stage.

Last year, Walz signed a bill to provide paid family medical leave with partial wage replacement for 12-20 weeks of leave in a 52-week period for medical leave or family care. That kicks in January 2026.

In response to Trump and Vance potentially overturning ACA, Walz reminds people that Trump did not successfully repeal the ACA while in office and the policy preserves healthcare coverage for those with preexisting conditions.

Walz, using his hands a lot, is passionately explaining why the ACA is important.