A pro-Ukraine protester disputed JD Vance’s claim about being chased by a mob of protesters in Ohio on Saturday while he was ‘walking his 3-year-old daughter.’
In a post on social media, Vance says his daughter “grew increasingly anxious and scared” because a ”group of ‘Slava Ukraini’ protesters followed us around and shouted.”
Vance said he decided to speak with the protesters “in hopes that I could trade a few minutes of conversation for them leaving my toddler alone.”
“It was a mostly respectful conversation, but if you’re chasing a 3-year-old as part of a political protest, you’re a s—t person,” Vance added.
But, Ann Henry who was at the protest told WPCO 9 News that Vance’s account is “a complete fabrication.”
“No one was chasing him,” Henry said. She explained to the outlet that the group passed Vance by coincidence while they were walking to a nearby protest.
Henry also shared a video with the outlet showing Vance, flanked by Secret Service agents, talking with pro-Ukraine protesters asking him questions about the war.
“We think it’s in the best interest of our (own people) and frankly in the best interest of the Ukrainians for the war to stop,” Vance said.
Vance also said Russia “certainly” invaded Ukraine in 2022, breaking with Trump, and disagreed with a protester who said the Trump administration is selling out Ukrainians.
“I think that what we’re doing is we’re actually forcing a diplomatic settlement,” Vance said.
Henry said she credits Vance for speaking with protesters but “wish he wouldn’t have characterized it the way he did on Twitter.”
“We all wanted it to be respectful and calm,” she said. “We just really wanted to know what was really bothering us.”
