Jesse Ventura has criticized Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance for attacking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s military service, calling it “despicable.” Ventura, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, spoke on CNN’s Laura Coates show, where he expressed disappointment over Vance’s remarks. Vance, an Iraq War veteran, had accused Walz of “stolen valor” due to Walz’s service in the National Guard and his claim of carrying weapons of war. Walz retired just before his unit was deployed to Iraq but had previously served in Italy during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Ventura, who was close to becoming Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate before endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, argued that Vance’s criticism is disrespectful to a fellow veteran. He noted that at Walz’s rank (E-9), he would likely not have been in combat, even if he had not retired before his unit’s deployment. Ventura emphasized that veterans should not criticize each other’s service, regardless of their role.
Ventura also criticized Vance for supporting Donald Trump, whom he described as a “draft dodger” who avoided military service during the Vietnam War due to bone spurs. Ventura claimed Trump is a “rich white boy” who used his privilege to evade service and questioned Vance’s support for him.
