JD VANCE AT AMFEST: It’s time to UNITE and save our great Christian nation

During his speech, the Vice President noted the aspects that make this country so great, concluding that the only thing that has served as an anchor of the US is that “we have been, and by the grace always will be, a Christian nation.”

"Christianity is America's creed—the shared moral language from the Revolution to the Civil War and beyond,” Vance said. “Across that history, our country’s major debates have always centered on how we could best as a people please God.

Vance took the stage to loud applause and chants of his name as the final speaker of the event. He addressed cancel culture within politics, arguing that the MAGA movement is inclusive and welcomes people from different backgrounds and perspectives. He made the remarks after rapper Nicki Minaj appeared on the AmericaFest stage earlier in the event.

“People of every faith come to our banner because they know that the America First movement will make their lives better,” Vance said. “If you love America, if you want all of us to be richer, stronger, safer, and prouder, you have a home on this team.”

Vance said he did not come to the event to “denounce” or “deplatform” fellow conservatives, arguing that the best way to honor Kirk is to emulate Kirk’s role as a coalition builder. He said Kirk believed everyone had something worth contributing, even amid disagreements.

“We have far more important work to do than cancelling each other; we have got to build,” Vance said. “We’re building a better country right now, and you have a rightful place in the success of your nation and the success of this movement. And we build by adding, by growing, not by tearing down.”

“Winning demands teamwork,” he added.

The vice president said there is still significant work ahead, noting that the Trump administration is approaching its one-year mark. He highlighted the administration’s early accomplishments, including stricter immigration after the open-border policies under the Biden administration. Vance claimed the United States is experiencing net negative migration for the first time in 50 years, calling it “just the start.”

He also criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, saying they have been relegated to the “dustbin of history,” and argued that Americans should be judged based on merit rather than race or identity.

“We don’t persecute you for being male, for being straight, for being gay, for being anything,” Vance said. “The only thing that we demand is that you be a great American patriot, and if you’re that, you’re very much on our team.”

Vance contrasted the administration’s approach with that of the Democratic Party, accusing Democratic leaders of restricting free speech while praising the Trump administration’s defense of it. He also pledged to pursue left-wing agitators who engage in violence, saying those who break the law will be prosecuted.

Vance said he was proud of the administration’s record so far and looked ahead to future political battles. He speculated about potential Democratic nominees, mentioning California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, while criticizing current Democratic leadership as ineffective. Vance said the Trump administration is working to dismantle a system pushed by those on the left that makes Americans “poorer,” “less powerful,” and “less safe,” while warning that activist groups, corporations, and judges continue to push back against the administration’s agenda.

Looking forward, Vance reassured the audience that the Republican Party is ready to defeat Democrats in the 2026 midterms as well as “every year after that.”