JD Vance Aligns with Trump to Become Vice President
- JD Vance was previously a critic of Donald Trump and did not support him in the 2016 election.
- He experienced a transformation, shedding his earlier criticisms while vying for support in the Republican primary.
- His selection as Trump’s running mate capitalizes on his background and connection with blue-collar voters.
In July 2024, Donald Trump chose JD Vance as his running mate, making Vance one of the youngest vice presidents in US history at 40 years old. Vance, who previously criticized Trump and did not vote for him in 2016, changed his stance after a personal and political transformation. Born into a troubled Appalachian family, he found success through the Marine Corps, Yale Law School, and a writing career with his bestseller, 'Hillbilly Elegy.' His candidacy was strategically positioned to appeal to blue-collar workers in the Rust Belt, a key demographic for Trump's campaign. Vance's journey also included the influential support of significant figures like Peter Thiel and Donald Trump's eldest son, contributing to his pivot toward pro-Trump policies during his 2022 Senate run in Ohio.