JD Vance was once a staunch critic of Donald Trump. Now, he has become Trump’s running mate for the vice-presidency, a remarkable reversal in political allegiance. In 2016, Vance openly criticized Trump, calling him “reprehensible” and an “idiot,” even comparing him to Hitler in private messages. This transformation has shocked even his close acquaintances.
JD Vance, a first-term senator from Ohio, has become a close ally of Trump and a frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028. His conservative voting record and Midwestern roots are seen as assets that could help garner support in elections.
Vance’s rise from a tough upbringing to political prominence is notable. He gained fame with his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” where he depicted his challenging childhood in Ohio and his conservative views on the struggles of the white working class. Despite initially deriding Trump and what he saw as his demagoguery, Vance has since become one of Trump’s most ardent supporters.
After returning to Ohio from a stint in venture capital, Vance entered politics, leveraging a $10 million donation from Peter Thiel and eventually securing Trump’s endorsement. This support helped him win a Senate seat in 2022.
In the Senate, Vance has supported conservative and populist policies, often focusing on immigration and skepticism towards economic aid to Ukraine. He has proposed legislation targeting universities with protests against Israel and those employing undocumented immigrants, as well as bills aiming to curb Chinese influence in US markets.
Vance has been a vocal critic of immigration’s impact on the American Dream and has echoed Trump’s views on states’ rights regarding abortion. His journey from a “Never Trump” critic to Trump’s running mate has been described by many as a significant and surprising political shift.