From critic to loyalist
Eight years ago, during the 2016 presidential election, J.D. Vance was a staunch critic of Donald Trump. Publicly, he labeled Trump an “idiot” and “reprehensible.” Privately, he compared Trump to Adolf Hitler. However, by the time Trump selected Vance as his running mate, the Ohio senator had become one of Trump’s most dedicated defenders, even standing by him when other Republicans did not.
Transformation and alignment
James David Vance’s evolution from a self-proclaimed “never Trumper” to a staunch loyalist is unusual within Trump’s inner circle. Critics, including Democrats and some Republicans, question whether Vance’s shift is driven by opportunism rather than genuine belief. However, Trump and his advisers see Vance’s transformation as sincere, noting that Vance’s political beliefs, which blend isolationism and economic populism, align closely with Trump’s, setting both at odds with the traditional Republican establishment.
Political beliefs and influence
Vance’s opposition to U.S. aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia has pleased Trump’s conservative allies while alienating some Senate colleagues. “He understands what Trump is running on and, unlike the rest of the Republican Party in Washington, agrees with it,” said conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, a vocal supporter of Vance.
Vance’s background and political ascent
Born into poverty in southern Ohio, Vance’s life story, as detailed in his bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” resonates with Trump’s Rust Belt base. Vance’s rise from poverty to a Marine Corps veteran, Yale Law School graduate, venture capitalist, and now U.S. senator and vice-presidential candidate, exemplifies the American dream. This background may bolster Trump’s appeal in key battleground states, though Vance’s conservative views could alienate moderate voters.
Past criticisms and current loyalty
Vance was a harsh critic of Trump in 2016, both publicly and privately. He once wrote privately, “I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler.” When this comment resurfaced in 2022, a spokesperson acknowledged it but said it no longer represented Vance’s views.
By the time Vance ran for Senate in 2022, his loyalty to Trump, including downplaying the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, earned Trump’s endorsement, helping him win a competitive primary. Vance explained his changed perspective, saying he realized his opposition was more about Trump’s style than substance.
Vance developed a relationship with Trump through his close ties with Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. His early endorsement of Trump in January 2023 demonstrated his loyalty. Vance’s involvement in high-profile events, like visiting East Palestine, Ohio, with Trump after a toxic train derailment, raised his national profile.
Financial and political support
Behind the scenes, Vance has helped secure financial support for Trump, organizing fundraisers with influential venture capitalists. His tenure on Capitol Hill has earned praise from Trump’s allies, who see him as a leading voice in a Republican Party increasingly focused on the working class.
Senator John Barrasso, a Vance mentor, stated, “I think that in terms of bringing to the ticket, he can articulate the pain that American families are feeling better than almost anybody else.” Critics, however, argue Vance is merely echoing Trump rather than offering a new perspective.
