J.D. Vance, the author, former Marine, and now Ohio senator, has been making waves in the political sphere, catching the eye of former President Donald Trump.
Vance's striking blue eyes and thick beard first drew Trump's attention during his run for the Republican nomination in Ohio's Senate race two years ago. Trump was quoted as saying, "He's one handsome son of a bitch." Since then, Vance has become a prominent figure on cable news channels, promoting Trump's agenda.
Vance's physical transformation, including weight loss due to a strict running regimen, has also been noticed by Trump. A source close to the former president revealed that Trump has commented on Vance's slimmed-down figure and choice of well-fitted suits, stating, "He's got the look." As reported by the Daily Mail, this places Vance among the top three candidates, including Sen. Marco Rubio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, being considered for the vice-presidential nomination.
Vance's supporters, including Donald Trump Jr. and former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, believe he brings a deep connection with the rust belt states that could be pivotal in the election. They argue that his personal history embodies the American Dream, and his television skills make him an ideal advocate for the president. However, critics accuse Vance of being a political chameleon, alleging that he abandoned his Never Trump stance at the first hint of power.
Vance's rise to political prominence is remarkable, considering his humble beginnings in southern Ohio, where he was raised by his heroin-addicted mother and his fiercely protective grandmother. His memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," published in 2016, catapulted him to literary and political fame. The book provided a vivid depiction of a forgotten America and offered insights into Trump's appeal to both liberal and conservative establishments. However, Vance also warned in his book that Trump was like an opioid, an "easy escape from the pain."
Despite his initial criticism of Trump, Vance's career trajectory has been impressive. After serving four years as a public affairs officer in the Marines, he studied political science and philosophy at Ohio State University. He graduated from Yale Law School in 2013 and joined Mithril Capital, a venture capital firm owned by Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, who later funded Vance's entry into politics.
Vance's background, which combines an Ivy League education with a well-received memoir, draws comparisons with another former president. In a 2016 New York Times column titled "Barack Obama and Me," Vance acknowledged the Republican Party's inability to separate political disagreements from an "admirable man," even as he expressed relief at Obama's departure.
Vance's political aspirations were ignited by the backlash against Trump, according to those who knew him before his political career. A friend from Yale Law School noted that the partisan nature of prestigious institutions, such as the Ivy League and media organizations, which had facilitated Vance's rise, revealed a hyper-partisan streak.
Vance's political journey began in earnest with his run for the Ohio Senate seat vacated by Rob Portman. His courtship of Trump began with a 2021 meeting at Mar-a-Lago, arranged by Thiel, his former boss. His stance against a no-fly zone in Ukraine enforced by NATO during a primary debate caught the attention of Trump's son, Don Jr., who was already a fan of "Hillbilly Elegy."
Vance's support from team Trump grew, leading to an endorsement from the former president himself, which helped him secure a primary win and an election victory in November 2022. Now, Vance is close friends with Don Jr., despite their vastly different backgrounds. The two communicate daily, and Don Jr. has praised Vance as a future V.P. on his podcast.
Vance has become a prominent defender of Trump on television and a hero to the hardline MAGA movement with his message of America First economic nationalism. Despite his conservative stance, he has managed to work across the aisle in the Senate, collaborating with Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown on rail safety legislation following a train derailment in his state.
However, critics, like Matt K. Lewis, author of "Too Dumb to Fail: How the GOP Went from the Party of Reagan to the Party of Trump," accuse Vance of abandoning his Never Trump stance to rise to the top. Lewis suggests that Vance is using Trump or Trumpism as a vehicle to promote a softened version of populism and nationalism.
Despite the criticism, Vance has admitted to being wrong about Trump. In an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, he said, "Look, I was wrong about Donald Trump. He was a great president, and its one of the reasons why I'm working so hard to make sure he gets a second term."
Now, after just two years in the Senate, Vance could be days away from being named Trump's running mate. When asked about the speculation, Vance joked with journalists, stating, "I have not gotten a rose or a trinket or any other gifts." He added that while he believes the speculation about his place on the shortlist is accurate, he wouldn't be surprised if Trump chose someone else, given his showman nature.
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