US election campaign: Chancellor was moved years ago by the book of Trump’s new vice president

Hard work, failed advancement, deep resignation – in his autobiographical book “Hillbilly Elegy” (2016), JD Vance describes the crisis of the white working class in the USA. It became a bestseller there – and the later Chancellor Scholz also felt addressed by it. He has long since taken a more critical view of the author, who initially criticized Trump, but has since become a US Senator with his support – and is now also his vice presidential candidate in the presidential election.

“(It) is a very touching personal story of how a young man struggles through with poor starting conditions,” Scholz described the book in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” in July 2023. It is true that it moved him to tears.

But it is tragic: “From a self-proclaimed conservative opponent of Donald Trump, who analyzes the injustices of American society with razor-sharp precision and only finds a way out for himself with luck and his military career, Vance now seems to have turned into a fiery supporter of this right-wing populist in order to gain his support – and become a senator himself.” The Chancellor added: “This may also be a result of the American electoral system: this polarization and the incredible financial resources that one has to mobilize in order to be successful.”

But Vance’s book helped him understand the causes of Trumpism. “And it also helped me to sharpen my own understanding of what is important for modern, progressive, I would say social democratic politics in the 21st century: All the many people who work, make an effort and keep the shop running must remain relevant. They must have the prospect of a good future for themselves and their children and be respected.”