Staff Reports
The Trump campaign is once again flexing its muscles with the launch of “Catholics for Trump,” an initiative aimed at winning over the devout crowd that has been trending toward the Republican side in recent years. Following in the footsteps of the successful “Latino Americans for Trump” and “Black Americans for Trump” coalitions, this latest venture serves as a reminder that the Trump train doesn’t slow down for anyone. Yet in what can only be described as a curious oversight, the campaign seems to have overlooked one of its key players—J.D. Vance’s Catholic identity.
In its press release, the Trump campaign unveiled the coalition but managed to tiptoe around mentioning the fact that Vance is, in fact, a Catholic. While other prominent Catholic voices, such as former Ambassador to the Holy See Callista Gingrich and ex-Senators like Rick Santorum, were quoted, Vance was relegated to the background, mentioned only in passing as Trump’s running mate. If there’s a strategy here, it’s cloaked in ambiguity—almost as if calling too much attention to Vance’s faith would distract from the larger mission at hand.
Breaking: Trump campaign launches 'Catholics for Trump', doesn't mention Vance is Catholic https://t.co/kLgZdNQLQy
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) September 4, 2024
Vance, who underwent a significant conversion to Catholicism in 2019, has openly credited his faith with reshaping his political views. One would think that a candidate with a remarkable personal journey like that would be front and center in such a coalition, perhaps as a hallmark of the campaign’s embrace of traditional values. But instead, notable quotes and accolades seem to have been bestowed on figures who fit nicely into the establishment mold, leaving Vance lurking in the shadows of support.
Adding to the intrigue, the campaign’s coalition website initially featured a photo of Trump outside St. John’s Episcopal Church, which is about as Catholic as a hot dog stand at a synagogue. Thankfully, that glaring oops moment didn’t last long. The image was swiftly swapped out for one of Trump and Melania inside the Sistine Chapel, a much more appropriate setting, especially for a coalition claiming to bolster Catholic support. Such flip-flopping might make one wonder whether the campaign is attempting to appeal to faith without fully committing to its expressions.
Despite the lack of commentary on the omission of Vance from the press release, the Trump campaign did confirm the photo switcheroo. This raises questions about the internal dynamics of the campaign and its commitment to embracing all facets of its coalition members. With a coalition named “Catholics for Trump,” leaving out a Catholic running mate feels like stepping on one’s own shoelaces while trying to sprint to the finish line. It remains to be seen how this will unfold, but if history is any indication, the Trump campaign thrives on both disruption and the miraculous ability to rebound from missteps with humor and flair.
