VP candidate JD Vance visits with Grassroots at DJ’s Dugout

Vice-Presidential candidate JD Vance flew into Omaha on Wednesday to speak at a high-dollar fundraiser for President Trump at the Omaha Marriott downtown. The reception, which cost $1,000 to attend (and $15,000 for a “photo opportunity,”) was hosted by multiple members of the Ricketts family and included guests such as Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and the entire Nebraska federal delegation.

Immediately before the reception, however, there was a covert meet-and-greet at the DJ’s Dugout across the street. The event was initially planned to be held on the tarmac of the Eppley Airfield to greet Vance upon his arrival. For logistical reasons, it was moved to the downtown venue. Guests were notified by text message and phone calls, and while they were allowed to bring guests with them, they were told explicitly not to mention the event on social media. There was no cost to attend.

The guests began arriving 4:30 PM, and the venue quickly filled with a couple hundred people. Among them were Douglas County Republican Party chair Mike Moran, RNC co-chair Jon Tucker, RNC Committeeman and Committeewoman for Nebraska William Feely and Fanchon Blythe, and coffee magnate Sean “Beard Vet” George.

Vance arrived at 5:17 PM to cheers of “Fight! Fight! Fight!” and stayed for about 15 minutes. He gave no address or stump speech, but he spent his time greeting guests, getting selfies, and signing autographs with a large Sharpie pen. Secret service kept a tight perimeter around Vance, and I heard one agent ask a guest to keep his hand out of his pockets. Guests at DJ’s Dugout had not been screened for weapons, (though guests across the street at the Marriott reception were).

The following reception at the Marriott, where Vance appeared to speak briefly, was reported to have raised over $1 million. While there, Vance told a story of Trump calling to offer him the VP nomination. Vance’s son had been vying for his attention while on the phone, so Trump asked to talk to him and told Vance’s son to tell his dad that Trump had picked him to be his running mate.

In October 2020, Donald Trump addressed a crowd of nearly 30,000 on the tarmac of Eppley Airfield. With election day still over two months away, there is a good chance either he or Vance will return to Omaha to prevent a “blue dot” from returning this November.