In a very short time, JD Vance went from being a Trump critic to being his candidate for vice president. That’s what makes the bestselling author tick.
At the Republican Party convention that began on Monday, Donald Trump (78) was not the only one to appear in public for the first time since the attempt on his life. Trump’s “running mate” was also elected in Milwaukee. This is what the candidate for the post of vice president is called in the USA. Donald Trump chose JD Vance (39) as his running mate. Not an obvious choice, because Vance has long been extremely critical of Trump. In addition, the former entrepreneur and best-selling author only entered politics late in life.
James David Vance first came to the public’s attention in 2016. During Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign, he published his autobiographical book “Hillbilly Elegy”. In the memoir, he told the story of his family – and thus of all hillbillies. In the USA, this derogatory term is used to describe “hillbillies” from backward areas in the Appalachians or the Ozarks.
“Hillbilly Elegy”: How JD Vance managed to escape the vicious circle
Vance grew up in the Rust Belt, the old industrial belt of the USA, which has experienced economic decline in recent decades. His family, who come from the Appalachian Mountains, has struggled with drugs and violence for generations. Even his mother was unable to escape the vicious circle despite her good grades at school.
It was only with the help of his grandmother that JD Vance managed to break free. He first joined the military, then studied political science and philosophy. This was followed by a law degree at Yale, where he met his Indian-born wife Usha Chilukuri (38). The couple have three children together. Vance worked for various investment firms.
Oscar-nominated film adaptation with Amy Adams and Glenn Close
“Hillbilly Elegy” (original title) became an instant bestseller. JD Vance was considered the number one Trump sympathizer. The author of the hour who could explain to the rest of the world why the white underclass, who had previously voted Democratic, were flocking to Trump and the Republicans. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also read the book and, according to his own statement, it moved him to tears.
In 2017, director Ron Howard (70, “A Beautiful Mind”) secured the rights to the non-fiction book. In 2020, its film adaptation was released on Netflix. Gabriel Basso (29, “The Big C”) plays the author in it. Ron Howard won several stars for the supporting role. Amy Adams (49) plays JD Vance’s mother, Haley Bennett (36) his sister. Glenn Close (77) received her eighth Oscar nomination for the role of his grandmother. Otherwise, the film received rather poor reviews and was nominated several times for the Golden Raspberry.
Suddenly Vance celebrated “America’s Hitler” Trump
After the film was released, JD Vance switched to politics. He had initially avoided this in order to continue to be seen as a non-partisan voice of the lower classes. In 2022, he ran for senator in Ohio. During his election campaign, the newcomer changed his opinion of Donald Trump. In 2016, he had still called him “America’s Hitler.” “I didn’t believe he would be a good president,” he explained his change of heart. But Trump then turned out to be a “great president” for him.
Initially trailing in the polls, JD Vance caught up in the race for the Senate seat when Trump publicly endorsed him. “JD kisses my ass, that’s how badly he wants my support,” the presidential candidate once said at a campaign rally about the man who is now his running mate.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
