In 2016, JD Vance was a vocal critic of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. However, in just eight years, Vance went from being a never-Trumper to becoming his running mate as Trump secured the Republican nomination for the third consecutive election cycle on Monday.
Vance’s rise to prominence coincided with Trump’s initial presidential campaign when he released his book “Hillbilly Elegy,” detailing his struggles growing up in Southwest Ohio. The book, published in 2016, was later adapted into a Netflix movie in 2020.
During Vance’s book promotion in 2016, he frequently discussed his views on politics and the economic plans put forth by Trump and then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, particularly in relation to struggling Rust Belt communities.
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Despite his initial criticism of Trump, Vance’s stance gradually evolved. He eventually embraced Trump’s conservative ideology and sought his endorsement when running for Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat in 2022, ultimately winning the primary with Trump’s support.
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Now aligned with Trump, Vance shares similar policy positions with the former president, prompting President Joe Biden to remark that Vance is essentially a “clone of Trump on the issues.”
What makes Vance appealing to Trump
Due to Vance’s background in Southwest Ohio, the Trump campaign is expected to leverage his appeal in key states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The campaign aims to appeal to rural voters, positioning Vance and Trump as a united team.
The Biden campaign, on the other hand, opposes Trump and Vance’s policies, arguing that they would negatively impact ordinary citizens.
