Elections
JD Vance’s staff threatened to kick out Milwaukee journalist over Diet Mountain Dew picture
Before Sen. JD Vance’s speech in Milwaukee on Friday, his staff threatened to kick out Fox6 Now reporter Jason Calvi after he took a picture of a staffer holding chilled Diet Mountain Dew.
Calvi explained in an X post that after he took a picture of the unidentified staffer with chilled Diet Mountain Dew bottles and water bottles, a different staffer saw him take the picture and demanded that he delete under threat of being kicked out of the event.
Mountain Dew is ready to go for the visit of VP Nominee JD Vance to the Milwaukee police union, as the union gets ready to endorse Trump/Vance. A different campaign rep asked me to delete photo from my phone or he’d have me escorted out. He gave me 5 seconds. I refused. pic.twitter.com/P1tJKpGFYI
— Jason Calvi (@JasonCalvi) August 16, 2024
Calvi went on to explain that he refused to delete the picture and yet another different staffer eventually told him he could stay. Calvi then posted both pictures to X
Although Vance has been open with his affinity for the soft drink, Diet Mountain Dew has been an increasing and bizarre constant for Vance in recent weeks. During a rally on July 22, Vance falsely claimed that Democrats sill say “it’s racist to do anything.”
“I had a Diet Mountain Dew yesterday, and one today. I’m sure they’re gonna call that racist too,” Vance said.
JD Vance: “I had a Diet Mountain Dew yesterday and one today. I’m sure [Democrats are] going to call that racist, too, but *long pause* it’s good.” pic.twitter.com/pxQFuDSklJ
— The Recount (@therecount) July 22, 2024
Vance has been clinging to the Mountain Dew schtick, with Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) posting a picture with Vance while holding a Diet Mountain Dew on Thursday.
Ready to campaign with my fellow Diet Mountain Dew fan @JDVance pic.twitter.com/2oJFLbunlf
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) August 15, 2024