Maggie Haberman: Trump Campaign ‘Perfectly Happy’ with ‘Attack Dog’ JD Vance

New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman argued that the Trump campaign is “perfectly happy” with running mate Senator JD Vance (R-OH) playing the role of “attack dog” and isn’t concerned about the consistency of their messaging.

The analysis came during a conversation with CNN host Anderson Cooper on Tuesday after Vance chided Democrats and liberals for calling the former president a “threat to democracy” or a “fascist.” The debate over whose political rhetoric was responsible for inspiring violence emerged following the foiled assassination plot against former President Donald Trump on Sunday.

Speaking to Haberman, Cooper relayed his confusion about Vance’s accusation, given that Trump has repeatedly referred to his political opponents, including Vice President Kamala Harris, as “fascist” or “Marxist.”

He said to the guest: “I mean, the thing that J.D. Vance saying the fascist thing that just seems such an obvious thing that Trump says you would think. He knows that. You think he would coordinate at least his statements with the Trump campaign a little?”

Haberman dismissed the detail and, further to that, insisted that the Trump campaign were “perfectly happy” with Vance’s goading.

I don’t think the Trump campaign is unhappy at all with what JD Vance is saying. I think that we have seen for a long time when Trump is called something, he tends to say it back to whoever has said it to him. And I think that the Trump campaign is perfectly happy with the role that JD Vance is playing as an attack dog. If they were not, he would not continue doing it.

Watch above on CNN.