BELGRADE — Vice President JD Vance invigorated Montana Republicans, emphasizing tax cuts and cost-of-living successes of the Trump administration. He acknowledged high gas prices and inflation during a rally in Belgrade on Monday.
Vance addressed a crowd at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, aiming to support Republican candidates Aaron Flint and Kurt Alme. Flint is in a close race with Democrat Sam Forstag in Montana’s Western U.S. House District. Alme leads in a contest to replace U.S. Sen. Steve Daines but hasn’t secured over 50% support.
“Under Donald Trump’s leadership, we got real tax cuts for working people. We got no taxes on overtime. We got no taxes on Social Security, and we got no taxes on tips,” Vance said, earning applause from approximately 1,500 attendees.
He mentioned the lower costs of prescription drugs and attributed rising gas prices to international conflicts. The vice president criticized Democrats for their approach to energy issues.
Flint, last to speak among local politicians, highlighted his U.S. Army Reserve service and media career, promising congressional reform. “We got politicians back there, frankly in both parties, that are getting rich off the backs of taxpayers,” Flint remarked, pushing for a ban on congressional stock trading.
Alme lauded his past tenure as Montana U.S. district attorney, stating, “In Montana, we went after violent criminals and drug trafficking gangs all the way up to the cartels.” He criticized Democrats for wanting to defund the police.
The rally, held in a hangar adorned with NASA-owned F-5 jets, faced scrutiny on social media for its setting. These aircraft belong to Jared Isaacman’s private fleet, the “Ghost Squadron.”
Before Vance spoke, Montana incumbents painted a grim picture if Democrats control Congress, drawing on Trump-era rhetoric. They referenced riots in Paris as a cautionary tale.
The event, in 35-degree temperatures, featured speeches warning against Democratic victories, equating them with communism and chaos. Governor Greg Gianforte praised Trump’s policies on border security and taxation, calling the election a choice between common sense and chaos.
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