Trump Selects Sen. JD Vance as Running Mate: A Transformation from Critic to Loyal Ally
Donald Trump has selected Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate. Vance, who gained national attention with his bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” was once a fierce critic of Trump but has since become a loyal ally. This decision makes Vance, the first millennial to join a major-party ticket, at a time when concerns about the age of America’s political leaders are growing.
Trump announced his choice on his Truth Social network, stating, “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator JD Vance of the Great State of Ohio.”
At 39, Vance became a national figure with the 2016 release of his memoir, which delves into the struggles of Appalachian communities. He was elected to the Senate in 2022 and has been a strong proponent of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” policies, particularly regarding trade, foreign policy, and immigration.
However, Vance’s experience in national politics is limited, and his entry onto the Trump ticket comes at a turbulent time. An attempted assassination of Trump at a recent rally has heightened the campaign’s tension, spotlighting the significance of the vice-presidential role.
Vance faced backlash after the incident for a post on X (formerly Twitter), implying that President Joe Biden’s rhetoric was responsible for the violence. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance wrote. “That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”
While law enforcement has not yet determined a motive for the shooting, Trump’s base is likely to be energized by Vance’s selection. Vance is a regular on conservative media and frequently clashes with reporters, positioning himself as a potential successor to Trump’s political legacy.
The choice of Vance also highlights the Republican ticket’s demographic, as two white men will now lead it, despite Trump’s efforts to appeal to Black and Latino voters.
“Hillbilly Elegy” portrays Vance’s upbringing in Appalachian areas that shifted away from the Democratic Party, which many residents felt no longer represented their struggles. Though the book was a bestseller, it faced criticism for oversimplifying rural life and overlooking the impact of racism in modern politics.
Vance’s rise paralleled Trump’s unexpected journey from reality TV star to President. Initially, Vance criticized Trump harshly, calling him “a total fraud,” “a moral disaster,” and “America’s Hitler.” Over time, however, Vance altered his stance, acknowledging Trump’s performance in office and becoming one of his staunchest defenders.
Vance’s transformation paid off in his 2022 Senate campaign, where Trump’s endorsement helped him secure a victory in a competitive Republican primary and a challenging general election. He has since become a close ally of Trump’s son, Donald Jr.
Now a firm Trump supporter, Vance has questioned the legitimacy of legal actions against Trump and cast doubt on the 2020 election results. He told ABC News that if he had been vice president on January 6, 2021, he would have advocated for multiple slates of electors from disputed states, believing Congress should have resolved the issue.
Despite widespread consensus among judges, election officials, and Trump’s own attorney general that there was no significant voter fraud in 2020, Vance remains skeptical of the election’s integrity.
Vance’s book, “A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” provided insight into Trump’s appeal in Middle America, where economic decline and the opioid crisis had devastated communities. His personal story of overcoming adversity captured Hollywood’s attention, resulting in a 2020 film adaptation directed by Ron Howard.
Vance’s journey from a difficult childhood in Middletown, Ohio, through service in the Marine Corps, to academic success at Ohio State University and Yale Law School, and then to a career in Silicon Valley, is well-documented. He returned to Ohio to start a nonprofit aimed at tackling opioid addiction, though the initiative ultimately fell short of its goals.
In the Senate, Vance has shown a willingness to collaborate across party lines, working with Ohio’s senior senator, Democrat Sherrod Brown, on significant issues such as funding a $20 billion Intel chip facility and introducing rail safety legislation following a major derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.