JD Vance, at 40, has rapidly ascended the political ladder, evolving from a strong Trump critic to one of his most steadfast allies. On Wednesday, he was elected as the next vice president of the US, marking him as the country’s 50th vice president and one of the youngest, most inexperienced, and divisive figures to hold the office. Vance, a senator from Ohio for only two years, will take on this role with an unusual track record: no recent vice president has entered the job with such a public history of criticising the president they now support.
Vance first captured national attention with his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, which quickly became a best-seller. It gave liberal readers an accessible lens into Trump’s rise and the frustration felt by working-class white Americans that helped him to the White House. As a Midwestern conservative who once distanced himself from Trump, comparing him to “cultural heroin,” Vance served as a bridge to blue America, giving a voice to the discontent in the Rust Belt.
In his own way, Vance embodies the essence of Midwestern Americana. His appeal is rooted in a gritty, nostalgic vision of the American heartland, something he calls “Hillbilly Hope.” This appeal, coupled with his willingness to challenge some Republican orthodoxy, echoes the centrism once seen in leaders like Bill Clinton. New York Times columnist Ross Douthat noted that Vance has staked a moderate, centrist stance, distinguishing himself from the more rigid views within his party—a “Bill Clintonian combination” that has historically attracted voters across the spectrum.
Despite his outsider status, Vance possesses a sharp intellect, navigating debates with a skill that outshone his Democrat opponents. His transformation—from a vocal critic of Trump to his running mate—showcases his adaptability. The VP-elect approached debates with an air of calm authority, framing Trump’s worldview with a casual confidence. On topics from foreign policy to domestic issues, he seemed far more assured than his Democrat rival Tim Walz, who lacked the polish and presence that Vance displayed throughout the campaign.
Vance’s command of the political stage and his skill in deflecting difficult questions—such as his refusal to clarify his stance on the 2020 election’s legitimacy—hint at a post-Trump MAGA movement. This shift is likely to be led by figures like Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy, positioning themselves as the movement’s new torchbearers. Their appeal is particularly potent among a wave of Americans, including legal migrants, who feel alienated by the liberal movement and are moving from blue to red states.
Unlike Trump, Vance is deeply grounded in conservative intellectualism, drawing from thinkers like Peter Thiel and Patrick Deneen. He taps into ideas from Silicon Valley libertarianism, Notre Dame Catholic conservatism, and the philosophy of René Girard—bringing a more subtle, less combative style to Trump’s populism. Vance has navigated his shift in allegiance with careful pragmatism, establishing himself as a master of the new Trumpian politics without adopting Trump’s more provocative tone.
The evolution of Vance’s political identity brings to mind American storytelling greats like Bob Dylan. Dylan revolutionised folk music, becoming an emblem of American culture, while Vance’s story—although different—could hold similar significance for the future of American politics. It’s quite possible that, in a post-MAGA era, JD Vance will find himself at its centre, shaping the political landscape for years to come.