Democrats taunted Donald Trump with messages projected on Trump Tower in New York City ahead of Tuesday’s vice presidential debate.
“Vance on Trump: ‘What an idiot,’” one of the projections says.
Other messages read “Project 2025 HQ,” “Go Coach Walz!” and “Trump is a chicken.”
In an October 2016 tweet, JD Vance wrote “My god what an idiot” about Trump. That was one of many scathing critiques he made of Trump — other included “noxious,” “reprehensible” and “unfit” — before he entered Republican politics and changed his tune.
Vance, now the junior U.S. senator from Ohio and former President Trump’s running mate in the 2024 election, has since said he regrets what he said about Trump.
Eugene Gologursky via Getty Images
A Democratic National Committee spokesperson told CBS News on Monday that the projections are intended to catch Trump and Vance’s attention, and to remind Americans that Trump won’t agree to another debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.
“As Vance takes the debate stage to attempt to make up for Trump’s own lackluster debate performance, these projections on Trump Tower NYC are a reminder that Trump and Vance are out for themselves while Trump remains afraid to go back on that debate stage and be held accountable by Vice President Harris for his failed record and his dangerous agenda,” DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman told CBS News.
The projections reportedly started to appear hours after Vance arrived at Trump Tower on Monday. On Tuesday, he will face Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) at the CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan in what’s set to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election.
Trump debated Harris last month but has declined to do so again, despite pressure from Democrats.
The DNC pulled a similar stunt in August, trolling Trump with messages on his Chicago tower ahead of the party convention in the city.