CNN Anchor's Suggestion of Embellishment Sparks Controversy over JD Vance's Military Service

Amid ongoing scrutiny of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's military service, CNN's Brianna Keilar raises questions about JD Vance's own military record, prompting a fierce backlash from the Republican hopeful.

CNN anchor Brianna Keilar has ignited a heated debate by suggesting that Republican Ohio Senator JD Vance may have embellished his military service, drawing an immediate rebuke from the candidate himself.

Vance, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, has been a vocal critic of Walz, the Minnesota governor who is Biden's running mate. Vance has repeatedly accused Walz of lying about his military service, claiming that he misrepresented his combat experience.

CNN Anchor's Suggestion of Embellishment Sparks Controversy over JD Vance's Military Service

However, Keilar's remarks on CNN have cast a spotlight on Vance's own record. She noted that Vance, who served as a U.S. Marine in Iraq, held the title of "combat correspondent" but clarified that he was a public affairs specialist who did not engage in combat.

"So he may be the imperfect messenger on that," Keilar said.

CNN Anchor's Suggestion of Embellishment Sparks Controversy over JD Vance's Military Service

Vance responded swiftly to Keilar's comments, accusing her and CNN of "disgusting" behavior. He emphasized that he served in a combat zone and never claimed to have personally engaged in combat.

"When I got the call to go to Iraq, I went," Vance said. "Tim Walz said he carried a gun in a war. Did he? No. It was a lie."

CNN Anchor's Suggestion of Embellishment Sparks Controversy over JD Vance's Military Service

The controversy over Walz's military service stems from a video clip, released by the Harris campaign, in which he appears to claim he carried weapons in a combat zone. However, a CNN fact-check determined there was no evidence to support this assertion.

Walz was actually mobilized to Italy with the Minnesota National Guard in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving in various security missions in Europe and Turkey. He was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, before returning to Minnesota in 2004 withoutdeploying to Iraq or Afghanistan.

CNN Anchor's Suggestion of Embellishment Sparks Controversy over JD Vance's Military Service

Vance has also criticized Walz for allegedly retiring from the military early to avoid deployment to Iraq. However, Walz's supporters maintain that he retired for benefit purposes and did not dodge any deployment.

The timing of Walz's retirement has been the subject of scrutiny, with some former colleagues alleging that he abandoned his troops before they were sent to Iraq. Walz has denied these accusations.

The Harris campaign has defended Walz's military record, arguing that he "carried, fired and trained others to use weapons of war innumerable times" during his 24 years of service. They have also emphasized that Walz "would never insult or undermine any American's service to this country."

The controversy has intensified as the Democratic and Republican tickets prepare for the upcoming vice presidential debate. It remains to be seen how these allegations will affect the outcome of the election.