Who Is JD Vance? Why Trump Nominated Him for VP | WSJ

Summary

JD Vance, once a critic of Donald Trump, has become his running mate for the 2024 election, symbolizing Trump's influence on the Republican Party. Vance's transformation from a 'never Trumper' to a key figure in Trump's MAGA movement highlights the party's shift towards populist conservatism. His selection as VP candidate is seen as a strategic move to solidify support among the white working class, particularly in the Rust Belt states, which are crucial for the election. Vance's youth and alignment with the new right suggest he may be Trump's heir in continuing the MAGA legacy within the GOP.

Takeaways

• 🚀 JD Vance's political journey has been remarkable, transitioning from a best-selling author and critic of Trump in 2016 to becoming his running mate in 2024.
• 📚 Vance's memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy' provided insight into his upbringing and resonated widely, leading to a movie adaptation directed by Ron Howard.
• 🔄 Initially anti-Trump, Vance's stance shifted significantly, aligning with Trump's policies and eventually earning his endorsement.
• 🎯 Vance's opposition to a NATO enforced no-fly zone over Ukraine during a debate caught the attention of Trump's inner circle, influencing his VP selection.
• 🌐 Trump's brand of conservative politics has been instrumental in reshaping the Republican Party, focusing on tighter borders and a more isolationist approach.
• 📉 The Republican National Committee's platform has been simplified to emphasize Trump, reflecting his significant influence on the party's direction.
• 🔝 Vance's rise to prominence within the 'new right' or national conservative movement has been rapid, with him becoming a leading voice for this faction.
• 🤝 The selection of Vance as Trump's running mate signals a consolidation of power within Trump's wing of the Republican Party, moving away from traditional conservatives.
• 🗳️ Vance's appeal to the white working class, particularly in the Rust Belt states, is seen as crucial for the election and could potentially boost voter turnout.
• 🌟 The choice of Vance as VP implies a long-term strategy by Trump to shape the future of the Republican Party and the populist conservative movement, possibly anointing an heir.

Q & A

Who is JD Vance and how did he rise to prominence in the Republican party?

JD Vance is a best-selling author who gained fame after publishing his memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy' in 2016. He later won a US Senate seat at age 38 and became former president Donald Trump's running mate for the 2024 election. Vance's rise in the Republican party was meteoric, shifting from being a 'never Trumper' to a key figure in the party shaped by Trump.

What was the significance of JD Vance's memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy'?

JD Vance's memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy' detailed his experiences growing up poor in rustbelt Ohio and his journey to Yale Law School. The book was a smash hit, leading to a Ron Howard-directed movie in 2020, and it helped Vance gain national recognition and establish himself as a voice for the working class.

How did JD Vance's stance on Trump change over time?

Initially, Vance was anti-Trump, but his stance shifted significantly. After launching his Senate campaign in 2021, he began to appreciate Trump's appeal and policies. Vance described himself as a 'flip-flopper' on Trump, changing his view from opposing Trump as a person to supporting him for advocating policies Vance agreed with.

What was the impact of JD Vance's stance on a NATO enforced no-fly zone over Ukraine during the primary debates?

Vance's opposition to a NATO enforced no-fly zone over Ukraine during a debate caught the attention of Trump's inner circle, including Donald Trump Jr., who began advocating for Vance's candidacy, which ultimately led to Trump selecting him as his running mate.

How has Trump's brand of conservative politics reshaped the Republican Party?

Trump's conservative politics have led to significant changes in the Republican Party, including a focus on tighter borders and a retreat from the world stage. The party has been reshaped to the extent that the Republican National Committee revamped its platform to focus more on Trump himself than on specific policy decisions.

What is the 'new right' or 'national conservatives' movement, and how does JD Vance fit into it?

The 'new right' or 'national conservatives' movement is a group that believes in Trump's policies and wants the Republican Party to be reshaped in his image. They take Trump's impulses and turn them into doctrine. JD Vance has become one of the leading voices of this movement, advocating for policies that prioritize American citizens first.

Why was the selection of JD Vance as Trump's running mate significant for the future of the MAGA movement and the GOP?

The selection of JD Vance as Trump's running mate is significant because it signals Trump's commitment to the MAGA agenda and the future of the Republican Party. Vance's youth and alignment with the populist conservative movement suggest that he could be an heir to the MAGA movement, potentially shaping the party's direction for years to come.

How does the Trump-Vance ticket aim to appeal to the white working class, particularly in the Rust Belt states?

The Trump-Vance ticket aims to appeal to the white working class by emphasizing policies that prioritize American citizens first and by focusing on the interests of this demographic. Ohio, part of the Rust Belt, is crucial for the election, and Vance's background and policies are expected to resonate with this key voting bloc.

What are the implications of Vance being chosen as Trump's running mate for the future of the Republican Party?

The choice of Vance as Trump's running mate implies that Trump sees him as a potential successor or someone who will exert significant influence in the Republican Party. This selection suggests that the party will continue to be shaped along populist conservative lines, potentially for decades to come.

How did the July 13th attack and the subsequent political climate influence the Trump-Vance ticket?

Following the July 13th attack, Vance was one of the first Republicans to publicly blame the Biden campaign, which likely solidified his position within the party. As Republicans united around the Trump-Vance ticket, it highlighted the party's response to the attack and the political climate, further galvanizing support for their campaign.