Jake Tapper laughs at JD Vance's claim about why Mike Pence distanced himself from Trump

Jake Tapper had a hard time containing his laughter at the time J.D. Vance offered his theory as to why Mike Pence has now distanced himself by Donald Trump.

In an appearance on State of the Unionthe Ohio senator tried to dismiss comments from former Trump administration officials who had warned of the risks of a second Trump term.

He claimed it was from Trump feud with his former vice president came about because of Pence’s inability to “control” his former boss — and not the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, in which Trump supporters stormed the building singing “Hang Mike Pence.”

“All these people, Jake, came into power thinking they could control Donald Trump. That when he said he wanted peace in the world…’ Vance said.

“Mike Pence thought he could control Donald Trump?” Tapper quickly intervened.

“Yes, he did,” Vance snapped, prompting the CNN host to laugh out loud before scoffing, “Ha! Real?”

Jake Tapper struggled to contain his laughter as JD Vance explained why Mike Pence had distanced himself from Donald Trump (CNN/X)

Tapper dug in, relaying Vance’s comments that it was foreign policy disagreements that led to former Trump staffers speaking ill of the former president.

“Including former Vice President Mike Pence, all these people have a terribly damaged worldview and are all just after Donald Trump because they want to send people to war?” Tapper asked. “Is that really your argument?”

Vance responded: “Absolutely, that’s my argument.”

Vance also rushed to Trump’s defense over claims made by the former president’s longest-serving president Chief of Staff John Kellywho declared last week that the former commander-in-chief is a fascist who once praised Adolf Hitler.

JD Vance spoke with CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday's State of the Union (CNN). — JD Vance spoke with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday’s State of the Union (CNN).

“It’s about policy. It’s not about personality. The people who have most vociferously attacked Donald Trump on foreign policy will say, ‘Well, he’s a dictator,’ when what they really mean is they don’t want to listen,” Tapper added.

“Trump wouldn’t listen to the military’s leadership when they wanted him to start ridiculous conflicts. That is a consistent theme.”

Tapper noted that Kelly has said he actually agrees with Trump on most policies.

“I don’t think so, Jake. I don’t believe that,” Vance responded.

Trump’s VP pick also sat down for an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker during Sunday’s episode Meet the presswhere he reduced Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, to a “disgruntled ex-employee.”

“This disagreement is not about personalities. This disagreement is because John Kelly did not like Donald Trump’s peace through strength policy,” Vance claimed.