Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), Donald Trump’s running mate, received positive reactions following his appearance on comedian Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, where the two engaged in a lighthearted conversation.

Despite attempts by the Harris-Walz campaign to paint Vance as “weird,” viewers of the podcast were surprised by how relatable and down-to-earth Vance appeared during the interview.

Comments flooded Von’s YouTube video, with viewers expressing shock at the contrast between Vance’s public portrayal and his actual demeanor on the podcast. “This guy is supposed to be weird? He’s like the most normal down-to-earth guy,” one viewer remarked, echoing the sentiment of many others.

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The conversation between Vance and Von, filled with humor and personal anecdotes, seemed to resonate with the audience, with many expressing relief that Vance wasn’t the “weird” figure he had been portrayed as.

One commenter said, “We were gaslighted to think that this guy is ‘weird.’ I’m only 20 minutes in and he seems like such a chill guy.” Others shared similar sentiments, praising Vance for his genuine and approachable nature.

The positive reception follows months of efforts by the Harris-Walz campaign to characterize Vance negatively.

However, the podcast provided a platform for Vance to counter those narratives, and the feedback from viewers suggested that many were pleasantly surprised by his appearance.

One viewer commented, “This guy is a perfect example of how much the media lies to the public. We were told he was weird. This guy is the most genuine, normal human being in politics.”

Vance’s appearance on Von’s podcast is part of a broader strategy by the Trump-Vance campaign to reach voters through non-traditional media outlets.

Just three and a half minutes of Theo Von making JD Vance burst out laughing 🤣 pic.twitter.com/WCNDo6ogYq

— Alana Mastrangelo (@ARmastrangelo) October 23, 2024

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The campaign has made several appearances on popular podcasts in an effort to bypass traditional media outlets and connect directly with the public.

Last week, Trump appeared on the Full Send podcast with the Nelk Boys, and earlier this month, he joined comedian Andrew Schulz on the Flagrant podcast.

The podcast tour is designed to give voters an unfiltered view of the candidates, allowing them to engage in extended conversations that offer more than the soundbites often seen in traditional interviews.

Vance’s appearance on This Past Weekend appears to have succeeded in humanizing him to voters, with one viewer saying, “That right there was probably the most down-to-earth conversation I’ve ever heard from a politician.”

Trump’s podcast appearances have similarly been well-received by listeners, with his recent interview on The Joe Rogan Experience set to draw significant attention.

The interview, which will be available on Spotify’s most popular podcast in the U.S., is expected to continue the Trump-Vance campaign’s efforts to connect with voters in an informal, relatable setting.

As the election draws nearer, the Trump-Vance campaign’s use of podcast platforms may prove to be a valuable tool in countering narratives pushed by mainstream media and allowing the candidates to present themselves directly to the public.