Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign is embroiled in internal strife, with disputes centering around his vice-presidential pick, Senator JD Vance.
The Bulwark reported that allegations have surfaced that Kellyanne Conway, a longtime adviser to Trump, is actively undermining Vance, leading to significant discord within the campaign. Conway is trying to shut those allegations down but that only further indicates that there is internal conflict.
The announcement that Senator JD Vance would be his vice-presidential running mate sparked considerable tension. Various Trump allies reportedly second-guessed this choice, leading to a wave of uncertainties within the campaign's ranks.
A significant portion of the friction reportedly stems from Kellyanne Conway. Allegations have emerged stating that Conway has been leaking unfavorable information to the press, aiming to discredit Vance. Multiple sources have even claimed that Conway opposes Vance's candidacy and has been questioning his readiness for the role.
In response to these claims, Conway has vehemently denied any allegations of undermining behavior. She referred to the accusers as “gossip girls” and “ankle biters,” attributing the rumors to campaign in-fighting.
Conway's denial, however, has not been enough to quell the suspicions of those close to Trump. Both Trump’s confidant and Trump Jr. are convinced that Conway is the source of the negative chatter surrounding Vance.
Despite Conway’s assertions of innocence, she acknowledged that she had initially supported other potential VP candidates, such as Marco Rubio and Doug Burgum.
Before the official announcement, Conway was allegedly heard saying that Trump would pick Vance “over my dead body,” a sentiment that has continued to fuel internal divisions. The heat intensified when further allegations surfaced, accusing Conway of disparaging Vance during a phone call with a donor.
Conway has since reiterated her loyalty to Vance, stating that she now supports him fully. Meanwhile, Trump’s camp remains starkly divided between those who back Vance and those who oppose him.
High-profile figures such as Tucker Carlson have joined the fray, criticizing Conway for her alleged actions. Carlson did not hold back, accusing Conway and other influential figures of deceitful lobbying against Vance.
A central narrative emerging from the campaign is the contrast between the relative calm of this cycle compared to previous campaigns, mainly attributed to the close-knit nature of Trump’s top leadership team.
However, the introduction of both new and seasoned advisers has still led to significant clashes, with Kellyanne Conway often at the center of these disputes.
In specific instances, LaCivita has openly criticized the Heritage Foundation and the America First Policy Institute's (AFPI) involvement in Project 2025, which has only added to the ongoing tensions. The resignation of the Project 2025 director further amplified these internal conflicts.
Amidst this turmoil, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung has downplayed internal issues. He has praised Vance, describing the Trump-Vance duo as “the perfect team to take back the White House.”
Even Conway herself has attempted to redirect focus, emphasizing that efforts should be concentrated on attacking Kamala Harris rather than each other. “It’s news to me that anyone connected with the campaign would spend their time anonymously attacking Kellyanne rather than aggressively attacking Kamala Harris,” Conway said.
She added, “This is Donald Trump and JD Vance’s election to lose. And we need to win it. And in my business, you either are whining or winning. And I’m all for winning.”
With internal tensions amidst the Trump camp, allegations against key figures such as Kellyanne Conway highlight the ongoing struggles to maintain unity. The next few weeks will be critical as the campaign seeks to solidify its strategy and overcome these internal divisions.
