JD Vance: The Vice President-Elect by JD Vance: Why the Man Who Called Trump Hitler Is Now the Future of MAGA | World News

JD VanceThe 40-year-old has quickly climbed the political ladder, evolving from a strong Trump critic to one of his staunchest allies. On Wednesday he was elected the next vice president of the United States. This makes him the country's 50th vice president and one of the youngest, most inexperienced and most controversial figures in this office. Vance, a senator from Ohio for just two years, will take on the role with an unusual track record: No new vice president has taken office having so publicly criticized the president he now supports.
Vance first gained national attention with his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” which quickly became a bestseller. It gave liberal readers a relatable insight into Trump's rise and the frustration of the white working class in the US that helped propel him to the White House. A Midwestern conservative who once distanced himself from Trump and compared him to “cultural heroin,” Vance served as a bridge to blue America and gave voice to discontent in the Rust Belt.
In his own way, Vance embodies the essence of the Midwest. His appeal is rooted in a dark, nostalgic vision of the American heartland that he calls “Hillbilly Hope.” That appeal, coupled with his willingness to challenge some Republican orthodoxies, reflects the centrism once seen in leaders like Bill Clinton. New York Times columnist Ross Douthat noted that Vance takes a moderate, centrist stance, setting himself apart from the more hardline views within his party – a “Bill Clintonian combination” that has historically attracted voters across the spectrum has attracted.
Despite his outsider status, Vance has a sharp intellect and debates with a skill that puts his Democratic opponents to shame. His transformation – from a vocal critic of Trump to his vice president – shows his adaptability. The vice president-elect approached the debates with quiet authority and articulated Trump's worldview with casual confidence. On issues ranging from foreign policy to domestic issues, he appeared far more confident than his Democratic rival Tim Walz, who lacked the polish and presence that Vance displayed throughout the campaign.
Vance's command of the political stage and his ability to deflect difficult questions – such as his refusal to clarify his position on the legitimacy of the 2020 election – point to a post-Trump era MAGA movement. This shift is likely to be led by figures like Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are positioning themselves as the movement's new torchbearers. Its appeal is particularly strong among a wave of Americans, including legal immigrants, who feel alienated from the liberal movement and are moving from blue to red states.
Unlike Trump, Vance is deeply rooted in conservative intellectualism and takes his cues from thinkers like Peter Thiel and Patrick Deneen. He takes ideas from the libertarianism of Silicon Valley, the Catholic conservatism of Notre Dame and the philosophy of René Girard, giving Trump a subtler, less combative style populism. Vance has handled his change of allegiance with cautious pragmatism, establishing himself as a master of the new Trump politics without adopting Trump's more provocative tone.
The development of Vance's political identity is reminiscent of American storytellers such as Bob Dylan. Dylan revolutionized folk music and became a symbol of American culture, while Vance's story, albeit different, could have similar significance for the future of American politics. It's quite possible that JD Vance will take center stage in a post-MAGA era, shaping the political landscape for years to come.