Former President Donald Trump's campaign and eldest son, Don Jr., told The Daily Caller in an exclusive interview that they are thrilled with Sen. J.D. Vance's campaign performance compared to that of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Trump Jr., one of the main driving forces behind Vance becoming his father's running mate, told The Caller that people were “wrong” about Vance and that he “got him right.” Trump Jr. and other campaign officials said Vance wasn't afraid to defy the liberal mainstream media and made a point of making media appearances, while Waltz has continued to avoid questions from reporters during the campaign and has never given a one-on-one interview since becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee.

“I've known him for a long time, I understand his talent, and every Sunday when I watch The Sunday Show and other media, it always reaffirms to me that I was 100 percent right in putting my all into JD,” Trump Jr. told The Caller. “But what's interesting is that people like J.D. Vance, people who aren't necessarily fans or indifferent, knowing my push and knowing that maybe they were pushing in a different direction, still reach out to me and say unequivocally, 'Don, you're 100 percent right. I was wrong.' And he's on a roll right now in the campaign.”

As for other candidates, Trump Jr. said he believes whoever his father had picked would have been viewed with scorn by the media. (RELATED: Exclusive: 'Total Silence': Donald Trump Jr. Says Media Won't Treat Waltz Family Like Mary Trump)

“I think the media would have attacked anyone that Trump picked, that's their job as Democrat lapdogs. I think they attacked JD especially hard, but in terms of his record, his life, how articulate he is at making the case, they didn't work,” he said. “JD has done better in the hostile media sphere, even Fox News, than most Republicans. So watching him make the case for the Democrats, the Harris-Biden administration, and their failures has been incredible to watch.”

Trump Jr. said one of the main reasons he recommended Vance was because of his support for the America First movement, and that he believes Vance will be able to “continue this movement even after the Trump administration is gone.” (RELATED: Exclusive: Gold Star Families Struggled to Get Trump to Arlington Until House Speaker Intervened)

“So I think he's shown incredible dedication to this movement, and I think that coupled with his other talents, which is his youth, I think that's fantastic,” Trump Jr. told the Caller. “And my dad will be in this movement for a long, long time, hopefully. But there are very few people on the conservative side, certainly not on the America First side, who are able to take on the Democrats who have dominated us for years. I think he's one of the rare talents on our side. So I think I realized that earlier than most people, and I think other people are finally starting to understand that, and that's great.”

“You can't put Tim Waltz and J.D. Vance in the same category and compare them. They're not alike at all,” Trump Jr. added. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: 'Your father was shot': Donald Trump Jr. recounts terrifying moments after attempt on his father's life)

Meanwhile, Trump campaign sources and national spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said they would support Vance as Trump's running mate, and slammed Waltz, who has come under fire for his signing of a bill supporting the placement of tampons in men's restrooms, defamation allegations and his history and ties to China.

“Senator J.D. Vance has honorably served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps and has truly embodied the American Dream. He has proven to be a tremendous asset to President Trump and our campaign as he travels the country meeting with constituents and taking on the fake news media. Senator Vance is a stark contrast to crank Tim Walz, one of the nation's most radical liberal governors and a proponent of outrageous policies like putting tampons in men's restrooms,” Leavitt told the Caller.

The Trump campaign official added he was surprised Democrats hadn't found a way to replace Waltz, saying he would only hurt Democrats' chances of defeating Trump.

“It's shocking that Democrats have not yet made their rumored vice presidential replacement. Walz is the worst possible candidate for them; he ran on a record of lying about his military background and can't go in front of the press without a babysitter. And he's the governor of Minnesota, yet their candidate has actually lost support in the polls in the state since being elected,” a senior Trump campaign official told the Caller.

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appear onstage together during a campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 6, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)

Another Trump campaign official said Vance was “hit it hard” and had done a good job on the campaign.

“He's the strongest supporter of President Trump's policies, other than President Trump himself. And unlike Kamala Harris, he's prepared to jump into the lion's den. He's gone on Meet the Press, CNN, wherever, he gives interviews, he gets asked tough questions and comes back with great answers. I think he's made his case, and he's campaigned aggressively, and we're happy. He's doing great,” a Trump campaign official said.

Longtime Republican strategist John Ashbrook told the Caller that Vance won a “landslide victory” and called Walz a fake.

“He refuses to be swayed by his opponents in any debate and is clear on his message of rebuilding our economy and securing our borders. It was a very smart move by President Trump to feature a poor kid from Middletown, Ohio. He speaks for the millions of overlooked people he fights for every day,” Ashbrook said. “And he's an authentic contrast to Tim Walz, who has spent his long political career pretending to be something he's not.”