VP Vance visits Bengals practice amid reports of Trump's hesitant endorsement
The Vice President made an unannounced stop at his favorite NFL team's practice facility on Wednesday, the day after former President Trump declined to explicitly endorse Vance for a potential future run.
Vice President JD Vance took a brief break from his campaign schedule on Wednesday to visit the Cincinnati Bengals' practice facility. Vance, a longtime fan of the NFL team and a native of Middletown, Ohio, was in the Cincinnati area for a speech at the FBI's Cincinnati Field Office and a campaign rally in Sharonville.
His visit to the Bengals' practice came one day after former President Donald Trump, when asked about Vance in the Oval Office, stated, "I don't think we've ever talked about" endorsing him for a future presidential run. Trump added that it was "early" and they needed to "get through the midterms."
Social media footage showed Vance greeting players and head coach Zac Taylor as they prepared for practice. Tight end Drew Sample was seen shaking the Vice President's hand. According to NBC 5 Cincinnati, Vance was also given a tour of the locker room.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who said he was informed of Vance's visit by owner Mike Brown, stated that he did not have an opportunity to meet the Vice President directly. "He came with everybody and left with swiftness and efficiency before the end of practice. So I didn't get to," Burrow said. He commented on the turnout, noting, "That's what I love about what I do is it brings a lot of people together, and people want to take time out of their day to come and watch what we do."
Vance's motorcade reportedly arrived at the practice fields around 2:15 p.m. local time, accompanied by Secret Service agents and police dogs who patrolled the perimeter. The Bengals are preparing to play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
This event follows Trump's repeated reluctance to anoint Vance as his successor. In August, Trump described Vance as a "likely favorite" but also mentioned Marco Rubio as a potential running mate. Vance himself had told veteran political journalist Mark Halperin on Monday, "Look, I think if I run, the President will endorse me... but I don't know, man, I haven't talked to him about it."