JD Vance Religious speech may set tone for run in 2028

JD Vance went into confessional mode: “I was telling somebody backstage that I always felt a little uncomfortable talking about my faith in public,” he said.

- David Smith

“As much as I love the Lord, and as much as it was an important part of my life, I have talked more about Jesus Christ in the past two weeks than I have my entire time in public life.” The crowd at the rightwing political activist Charlie Kirk’s memorial service at a football stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday rose to its feet and roared its approval.

The apparent ad lib by the US vice-president showed his ability to read the room. The service had put Kirk's faith front and centre. Vance's moment of self-revelation could also have political utility if and when he runs to succeed Donald Trump as president in 2028.

Trump, a thrice-married New Yorker with little knowledge of scripture, secured the evangelical vote with promises that included a pliant supreme court. Candidate Vance would have to win them all over again, and knows the new generation of young Christians who idolised Kirk would be a good start.

The 41-year-old former Ohio senator has already taken a lead role in mobilising Kirk's online army at Turning Point USA, likely to be a crucial part of the next Republican electoral coalition, and seeking to claim his mantle as a “youth whisperer”.

After Kirk was shot dead at an event in Utah, Vance posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, describing him as a “true friend” who had advocated for him to be Trump’s running mate.

He personally escorted Kirk’s casket from Utah to Arizona on the vice-presidential plane, Air Force Two. After disembarking, his wife, Usha, held hands with Kirk’s widow, Erika - both dressed in all black and wearing sunglasses - as Vance followed dutifully behind.