JD Vance Prepares for VP Debate in Grueling Mock Sessions

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has been engaged in rigorous mock debates and "murder board" sessions to prepare for Tuesday's encounter with his Democratic counterpart, Tim Walz.

In the lead-up to Tuesday's vice presidential debate between Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz, Vance has embarked on an intensive preparation regimen that includes a series of mock debates and "murder board" sessions.

According to a source familiar with Vance's debate prep, the senator has conducted a mock debate over the past week with Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the House majority whip, playing the role of Walz. Former Trump administration Treasury Department assistant secretary Monica Crowley assumed the role of one of the moderators from CBS News, which is hosting the debate in New York City.

JD Vance Prepares for VP Debate in Grueling Mock Sessions

Halfway through the mock debate, a strong storm slammed through Cincinnati, Ohio, where Vance lives and where the prep session was held, causing a power outage. However, according to the source, Vance and his team continued on, using lanterns for lighting and cellphones for timers.

Emmer, who steered the House Republicans' campaign committee in the 2020 and 2022 cycles, said in a Fox News Digital interview that "it’s an honor to be asked to play a very small part in helping JD and President Trump expose the failures of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz."

JD Vance Prepares for VP Debate in Grueling Mock Sessions

Emmer added that "the hardest part of playing Walz… is trying to tell lies with a straight face, because that’s what he does. He’s good at the debate game, but there isn’t substance there. There’s a lot of air."

Former President Trump, when asked if he had given Vance any advice, said, "No, he doesn't need it." However, he noted that he and Vance had "been speaking a little bit back and forth" and that he thought the senator was in "good shape."

JD Vance Prepares for VP Debate in Grueling Mock Sessions

As part of the Trump campaign's strategy ahead of the debate, the campaign is raising expectations for Walz's performance. "Walz is very good in debates. I want to repeat that. Tim Walz is very good in debates. Really good. He's been a politician for nearly 20 years. He'll be very well prepared for tomorrow night," Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller told reporters on Monday.

Vance and his team arrived in New York City on the eve of the debate. Fox News confirmed that Vance would address a conference of major Republican donors behind closed doors on Monday evening in Manhattan.

JD Vance Prepares for VP Debate in Grueling Mock Sessions

The American Opportunity Alliance, a network of GOP donors, will host the event. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more at Fox News Digital's election hub.