On Wednesday, Aug. 27, in an exclusive interview with USA Today, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said he feels fully prepared to serve as commander-in-chief if necessary:
“I’ve gotten a lot of good on-the-job training over the last 200 days,” Vance noted.
He also stressed:
“The president is in incredibly good health. He’s got incredible energy.”
The interview covered a broad set of topics: Vance’s televised clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the high-profile engagement of pop star Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce, as well as President Trump’s controversial push to remove Federal Reserve governors.
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Age and Health Concerns
Throughout the campaign, Democrats and even Trump’s primary rival Nikki Haley repeatedly questioned his age. Haley’s team aired an ad titled “Grumpy Old Men” portraying both Trump and former President Joe Biden as frail and stumbling. In recent months, public scrutiny of Trump’s health has intensified.
In July, the White House revealed Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), after photos showed noticeable swelling in his legs. White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella described the condition as “benign and common,” attributing the visible swelling to minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshakes.
Still, Vance underscored Trump’s vigor: “He’s usually the last person to call at night and the first to call in the morning.”
Trump also survived two assassination attempts while on the 2024 campaign trail. In July 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania a bullet grazed the top of Trump’s right ear and in September 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida, Secret Service foiled another attempt on his life after intercepting an armed man.
“Yes, terrible tragedies happen,” Vance said. “But I feel very confident the president of the United States is in good shape, is going to serve out the remainder of his term and do great things for the American people.”
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Vice President’s Readiness
According to Newsweek, Vance added that if the unthinkable were to happen, he was fully confident in his ability to assume the presidency and maintain stability.
Now 79, Trump is the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. His health and age have attracted heightened attention, especially since Biden withdrew from the 2024 race citing health concerns.
Vance concluded:
“I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve gotten over the last 200 days.”
By Luke
Translation by Janet Huang
