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JD Vance has admitted that the Trump team botched an embarrassing visit to a doughnut shop in Valdosta, Georgia last week.
In front of the assembled media, Vance struggled to make small talk while purchasing baked goods, and one of the employees asked to be out of the shot. The moment has since gone viral.
“I just felt terrible pity for this woman,” Vance told NBC News on Tuesday.
“We went in and there were 20 Secret Service agents and 15 cameras. She obviously hadn’t been properly warned and was terrified, right? I just felt terribly sorry for her,” he added.
Former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate said he enjoyed speaking to voters in a casual setting, but noted that he had told his staff that visits to various facilities would need to be better planned in the future.
“We don’t do scripted events – I don’t want to make three attempts to buy Doritos at Sheetz,” the Republican vice presidential candidate said, referring to a recent visit by Vice President Kamala Harris to a gas station in Pennsylvania.
“I like to get out there and talk to people. And we want to make sure we’re doing that. But we definitely have to make sure that people at least don’t have a problem being on camera. Otherwise we come in and have a person who’s basically having a panic attack because there are 15 cameras shining in their face,” he said.
The visit to Valdosta took place on Thursday, where he introduced himself to an employee who replied that she did not want to be filmed.
“I’m JD Vance. I’m running for Vice President,” said Trump’s running mate.
“Okay,” the store clerk replied.
“We’re doing two dozen. Just a random selection of things here,” Vance continued, browsing the available merchandise.
“Everything. Lots of frosting here. Sprinkles. Lots of cinnamon rolls. Just anything that makes sense,” he added.
Vance tried to make small talk while the employee filled his box, asking how long they had worked there and how long the store had been in business.
“About four years? OK,” Vance told the employee. “Well, we picked this spot. I didn’t know if it had been here for 20 years or four. You never know.”
The clip of Vance was taken as he tried to put the Democrats’ “weird” remark behind him.
