Kremlin propagandists have mocked J.D. Vance in a reversal of the praise they gave Donald Trump's running mate only days ago.
Guests appearing on the Russia 1 channel had seemed happy about the announcement at the Republican National Convention (RNC) of Vance as the vice-presidential candidate, given his skepticism about continued U.S. aid for Ukraine and the perception that his running with Trump would be better suited for Moscow.
However, in a segment on Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, the anchor, who is an ally of Vladimir Putin, had a different take on the Ohio senator—as did his guests.
In front of a screen showing Vance at a Republican rally in Michigan, Solovyov prompted laughter from his guests when he suggested the former president chose his running mate "to make sure that America prays for Trump to live."
"God forbid something happens to him and his vice president steps in," Solovyov said, chuckling at the prospect of Trump not making it to the end of his term, adding: "It would not be good for anybody."
Describing Vance as a "nice guy," Solovyov wondered why Vance couldn't think of anything better to say that to "thank his mother for being sober for 10 years."
Russian state Duma (parliament) MP Leonid Kalashnikov said that Vance was unveiled as if to say: "If you kill me, the replacement will be no better," as he mocked how the senator had "changed his religion...and never explained why."
"I'm not totally convinced of his love towards Trump," Kalashnikov added in the clip posted by journalist and Russia watcher Julia Davis.
Meanwhile, Andrey Sidorov from Moscow State University, said Vance calling his current boss "Hitler" in 2016 showed how "he will quickly switch to any side."
Sidorov also appeared to disparage the American dream narrative portrayed by Vance as coming from a poor family to senator and then VP candidate, suggesting that the GOP ticket wants to bring the U.S. back to the conservative values of the 1950s.
However, for Solovyov the problem was that "no vice president could have a beard back then," and that Vance would be "the first bearded vice president in 100 years," adding that facial hair "lowers the level of trust."
Another guest, political scientist Dmitry Drobnitsky, chimed in with his take, saying: "You don't pick this kind of a VP to get more votes."
Davis wrote next to the video: "Pundits on Vladimir Solovyov's show are expressing serious reservations about J.D. Vance," adding: "They came close to suggesting Trump should dump him."
Pro-Ukrainian X user Vlada Knowlton posted: "Wow, Kremlin propagandists have really turned viciously against J.D. Vance! That's quite an about-face from the gushing praises he received on Russian state TV right after the RNC."
The X account Prune 60 posted: "Remember way back *checks notes* last week when Russian State Media referred to JD Vance as a "principled right-winger"? That didn't last long."
Newsweek has contacted Vance's team for comment.
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