JD Vance has come a long way in his political journey. Just eight years ago, in the run-up to the 2016 election, Vance was one of Donald Trump’s biggest critics. He called Trump an "idiot" and "reprehensible," even comparing him privately to Adolf Hitler.
But by July 2024, Vance had become one of Trump’s strongest supporters, and was even chosen to be his running mate. With Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, Vance, now 40, is set to become one of the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history.
Vance’s change of heart is striking. From being a "Never Trumper" to becoming one of Trump’s most loyal allies, Vance’s political shift has raised questions.
Some wonder if he is more interested in gaining power than sticking to a clear set of beliefs.
But many of Trump’s supporters believe Vance’s change is sincere. They say his views on trade, foreign policy, and immigration match Trump’s, and that they both want to shake up the traditional Republican Party, which still supports big business and aggressive foreign policy.
Some people, like conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, say Vance understands what Trump stands for and agrees with it.
"Unlike other Republicans in Washington, Vance gets it," Carlson said.
Although the details of Trump’s second term are still unclear, Vance, a Yale Law graduate, is expected to play a major role in shaping policy.
"With the right leadership, we can bring about a golden age of American prosperity," Vance said at a recent rally in Arizona.
A Story of Humble Beginnings
Vance’s rise is partly due to his personal story. Born into a poor family in southern Ohio, Vance often shared his experience growing up in a struggling community.
His background helped him connect with voters in Rust Belt states, such as Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, where many people are frustrated with the economy.
At first, Vance’s conservative views and awkward moments on the campaign trail made some of Trump’s supporters nervous.
He had made controversial comments in the past, including calling women without children “childless cat ladies.” But as the campaign progressed, Vance adapted his message to better resonate with voters.
In September 2024, he fueled a baseless conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants eating household pets in Ohio, which helped energize Trump’s base.
Later, he showed a softer side in a debate, gaining some respect for his ability to stay calm and composed.
Changing Views Over Time
Before entering politics, Vance had a successful career in the Marine Corps, attended Yale Law School, and worked as a venture capitalist.
He first gained national attention with his bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, where he discussed the struggles of his community and tried to explain why Trump was so popular among poor white Americans.
In 2016, Vance was very critical of Trump, both publicly and privately. He even called Trump “America’s Hitler” in a Facebook message.
When this comment was reported in 2022, Vance’s spokesperson didn’t deny it but said he no longer held that view.
By the time he ran for Senate in 2022, Vance’s views on Trump had changed.
He had softened his stance and started supporting some of Trump’s ideas, like limiting foreign military interventions and opposing free trade, which he believed hurt American workers.
In an interview with The New York Times in June 2024, Vance admitted that he had focused too much on Trump’s style, rather than considering his substance.
He came to realize that Trump was offering solutions that he agreed with on trade, foreign policy, and immigration.
Some See Opportunism, Others See Change
Critics of Vance, like political scientist David Niven, argue that Vance’s shift in views is just a strategy to climb the political ladder. "He’s trying to use Trump to gain power," Niven said.
One area where Vance’s views are similar to Trump’s is on abortion.
In 2021, he suggested that women who become pregnant from rape or incest should still be required to carry the pregnancy to term.
In 2023, he criticized a vote in Ohio to protect abortion rights. However, he has also expressed support for the abortion pill, a position Trump also holds.
Building a Relationship with Trump
Vance’s relationship with Trump grew over time, especially after he became close to Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.
Vance first attracted Trump Jr.’s attention when he opposed sending aid to Ukraine during his Senate campaign in 2022.
Later, Vance’s strong endorsement of Trump in 2023, well before other potential vice-presidential candidates, solidified his loyalty.
In February 2023, Vance and Trump visited East Palestine, Ohio, after a toxic train derailment, criticizing President Biden for not visiting the area sooner.
This trip helped raise Vance’s national profile. Behind the scenes, Vance also helped raise money for Trump’s campaign, organizing fundraising events with wealthy donors.
A New Republican Voice?
Vance’s political style—skeptical of big business, supportive of tariffs, and critical of foreign wars—has made him a leading voice for a new kind of Republican Party, one that focuses more on working-class Americans than on corporate interests.
His critics, however, say that Vance isn’t offering anything new but is simply copying Trump’s approach to gain power quickly.
"Vance is just echoing Trump," Niven said. "He’s not bringing new ideas to the table."
Despite the criticism, Vance’s transformation from a Trump critic to his running mate shows how politics in America can change quickly, especially when personal ambition and political loyalty come into play.
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