Donald Trump and His Real-Life Apprentice

The former president views JD Vance as a kindred political spirit, while Mr. Vance has spoken of Mr. Trump as a kind of father figure.

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Former President Donald J. Trump, left, and Senator JD Vance of Ohio during a Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in Manhattan earlier this month.

Senator JD Vance has driven some of the most attention-grabbing story lines of the 2024 presidential election, encroaching on the precious spotlight that his running mate, Donald J. Trump, has long kept for himself.

But instead of admonishing Mr. Vance, the former president has cheered him on.

When Mr. Vance botched a detail of one of the central issues of the 2024 election — incorrectly asserting that Mr. Trump would veto a national abortion ban — the former president calmly corrected the record and quickly moved on.

Mr. Vance eagerly welcomed the idea of a potential second debate with his Democratic counterpart, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, telling a rally crowd in Pennsylvania that debates showed which candidates were willing to work to earn the job. Mr. Trump, speaking at his rally in North Carolina about an hour earlier, flatly rejected an invitation for a rematch with Vice President Kamala Harris, unspooling a series of excuses including the time, the place and his unresolved grievances from their first meeting.

Again, no public shaming. No punishment. Not a hint of anxiety over the dichotomy.

Mr. Trump’s unusual willingness to overlook his apprentice’s missteps is an early indication of a unique partnership developing with Mr. Vance. The former president seems to be enjoying a more collaborative role with someone he views as a kindred political spirit to help lead his MAGA movement back into the White House — even as the number of Americans who say they dislike Mr. Vance continues to climb.

This account of their relationship is based on interviews with aides for both men, their allies and other Republicans who have witnessed recent interactions between the party’s presidential and vice-presidential nominees.

Mr. Vance’s role in this relationship will be on display Tuesday when he meets Mr. Walz for the only scheduled vice-presidential debate of the year — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. It will likely be the largest single audience Mr. Vance will address this campaign, and yet, for him, only one spectator will truly matter.

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