Donald Trump’s frustration is mounting as JD Vance continues to falter in the public eye, with a recent event in Big Rapids, Michigan, marking yet another setback. Vance, who has been struggling with declining favorability, was placed before a larger crowd by the Trump campaign in a desperate attempt to reverse his downward spiral.

However, the event only served to highlight Vance’s inadequacies, as he failed to connect with the audience and delivered a series of awkward and unconvincing remarks.

Vance’s net favorability has been on a steady decline, plummeting from -3.3 in July to a dismal -9.7, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with his public persona. These numbers are a significant concern for Trump, who had hoped that increasing Vance’s visibility would help turn the tide. Instead, the event in Michigan turned into a public relations disaster, with Vance’s attempts at humor and criticism falling flat.

During his speech, Vance made several attempts at humor that were met with uncomfortable silence. A joke about his children’s obsession with Pokémon cards and a forced reference to the enthusiasm of the crowd behind him failed to elicit any real reaction. His awkward delivery and lack of charisma only served to underscore his inability to connect with the audience, leaving many in attendance unimpressed.

Vance’s criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris also backfired. His attempt to liken Harris to a strict “vice principal” came off as forced and unoriginal. He further stumbled by questioning Harris’s beliefs, suggesting she doesn’t know who she truly is, which seemed more like a clumsy attempt at character assassination than a legitimate critique.

Adding to the spectacle, Vance’s supporters brought “family kits” containing bizarre items like fake semen to the event, in what was presumably a misguided attempt to mock his opponents. This strange and off-putting behavior only added to the sense that Vance and his supporters are out of touch with the broader electorate.

In a final, desperate attempt to rally support, Vance tried to portray Trump as a beacon of hope for America, contrasting him with Harris, whom he accused of offering “fake joy.” But his words lacked conviction, and his repeated references to the MAGA movement felt hollow, especially as many within the movement seem increasingly willing to distance themselves from him.

The fallout from Vance’s Michigan appearance is just the latest in a series of missteps that have left Trump’s campaign scrambling to contain the damage. With Vance’s favorability sinking to new lows and his public performances continuing to disappoint, it’s clear that Trump’s patience is wearing thin.

The former president, known for his quick temper and high expectations, is reportedly livid at Vance’s inability to turn things around, raising questions about the future of their political alliance.

As Trump’s frustration grows, it remains to be seen whether Vance can recover from this latest debacle or if he will continue to drag down the campaign’s efforts to galvanize their base.