In a tense and revealing moment on CNN’s “State of the Union”, Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance delivered a blistering rebuke to anchor Dana Bash, accusing her of biased coverage in the lead-up to the 2024 election. The heated exchange, which took place on September 15, 2024, highlighted growing frustration among conservatives over the mainstream media’s clear favoritism toward Democratic candidates, particularly Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Vance, never one to shy away from confrontation, made it clear that he was fed up with what he saw as a deliberate attempt by CNN to disrupt his message. As Bash pressed him with questions, Vance fired back, demanding that she allow him to finish his answers without constant interruptions.
“They’re telling me this stuff is happening,” Vance began. “Dana, would you like to ask me questions and then let me answer them? Or would you like to debate me on these topics?” He pointed out the disparity in Bash’s treatment of Democratic candidates, accusing her of offering “multiple-choice answers” to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, allowing them to respond without interference.
As the interview progressed, Vance’s patience wore thin. “I’m happy to be here to talk about policy, but if you’re going to interrupt me every single time I open my mouth, then why am I even doing this?” Vance demanded. “So please, ask a question, and I’d ask you to be polite enough to let me answer it.” His calm but firm pushback stunned many viewers and sent a clear message that he wasn’t going to let CNN’s agenda-driven questioning derail his campaign.
The exchange quickly went viral, with conservatives across social media applauding Vance for standing up to Bash and calling out the network’s bias. One commenter praised Vance’s composure, noting, “This is effective. See what happens when you don’t resort to name-calling and just stay calm and civil?” Another user pointed out the irony, writing, “Even as he’s saying be polite enough to let me answer… she interrupted him. Unbelievable.”
The clip also sparked a broader conversation about the media’s treatment of conservative politicians. Many users drew parallels between Vance’s response and former President Donald Trump’s combative style during the 2016 campaign. One commenter observed, “The thing that set Trump apart from the other candidates in 2015 was his fearlessness when being bullied by the media. He shot back. He dished it right back to the media.”
The user went on to contrast Trump’s boldness with the behavior of “cowardly RINOs” who were hesitant to challenge the media’s narrative. “All the other GOP candidates were afraid of upsetting the media. The professional politicians were afraid of being labeled something if they answered a question inelegantly. Not Trump… He didn’t back down, for better or worse.” The commenter then expressed appreciation for Vance’s efforts to follow in Trump’s footsteps, writing, “Good to see others are following in his footsteps. Maybe not as boldly or abrasively, but they are pushing back on activist journalism. Vance does it so well in this clip. Politely and firmly puts an activist in her/their/zir place.”
The backlash against Bash’s handling of the interview was swift. Many mocked her reaction, with one user joking, “Her flustered reaction is delicious. The only reason she didn’t turn beet red is because her industrial-strength makeup isn’t translucent.” Another user dismissed Bash and her colleagues as “mental midgets” who live in a bubble where they consider themselves geniuses despite their obvious bias.
Vance’s exchange with Bash is just the latest example of conservatives pushing back against the left-leaning mainstream media. With election season heating up, it’s clear that figures like Vance are no longer willing to sit idly by while liberal journalists attempt to control the narrative. If this interview is any indication, Vance is ready to fight for Ohioans—and he’s not afraid to take on the media in the process.
