Former President Donald Trump’s decision to select U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate immediately raised concerns among Indigenous leaders regarding his views on Indian Country.
Vance has referred to Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a “fake holiday”, supported Columbus, and questioned the term “two-spirit” in social media posts in 2021. He has also resisted name changes for historical sites requested by tribal leaders.
These social media remarks were made before Vance, a native of Middletown, Ohio, took office as one of Ohio’s U.S. senators in 2023.
“‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day” is a fake holiday created to sow division,” Vance wrote on Oct. 11, 2021, on X. “Of course, Joe Biden is the first president to pay it any attention.”
In another post on Oct. 11, Vance praised Columbus for his daring voyage and ingenuity. He wished everyone a Happy Columbus Day.
