From a Never Trumper to a Vice Presidential Pick

J D Vance: Trump’s Surprising Vice Presidential Pick

In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has chosen J.D. Vance as his vice presidential running mate for the upcoming election. This decision has generated significant buzz and has set the political world abuzz with speculation.

Background Information

Early Life and Education

His full name is James David Vance and he will turn 40 in August. Like his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, he has a law degree from Yale, where the two met. They have three children. J.D. Vance was born in Middletown, Ohio, and raised in a struggling working-class family. His upbringing in the Rust Belt, marked by economic hardship and familial instability, profoundly influenced his worldview.

Born to a working-class family in Middletown, Ohio, Vance Following his graduation from Middletown High School outside of Cincinnati, Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he served as a combat correspondent and completed one tour of duty in Iraq. After his return to civilian life, he attended The Ohio State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy in 2009.

After graduating, Vance attended Yale Law School, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 2013. While in law school, Yale Professor Amy Chua encouraged Vance to write a book about his experiences growing up in Middletown. Published in 2016, “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” earned a spot on The New York Times Best Seller list in both 2016 and 2017, with the publication calling it “one of the six best books to help understand Trump’s win.” The book was also adapted into a Netflix movie in 2020.

Career Before Politics

After serving in Iraq, attending Ohio State University and Yale, Vance moved to San Francisco and worked as an investor for the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Mithril Capital, gaining a reputation as a sharp and insightful commentator on economic and social issues. He became a protege of Peter Thiel, Thiel first recruited Vance into his circle while Vance was still a student at Yale Law School. Shortly thereafter, Vance joined Thiel’s investment firm Mithril Capital, where he worked for two years before joining Revolution Ventures. Vance played a major role in Revolution’s “Rise of the Rest” seed fund.

Vance later launched his own venture capital firm Narya Capital in 2020. His memoir brought him national attention, turning him into a sought-after voice on issues affecting the white working class. His insights into the challenges faced by middle America resonated with many, setting the stage for his future political career .

Entry into Politics

Vance entered the political arena as a Republican, running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio in 2022. His campaign focused on issues such as economic revitalization, combating the opioid crisis, and restoring American manufacturing. Despite facing significant competition, Vance’s message resonated with Ohio voters, and he successfully secured a Senate seat . Point to note is Trump singled Vance out of a competitive race for Ohio Senate, endorsing him in the 2022 midterm elections. Vance soared to the front of the pack and won against seasoned Democrat Tim Ryan.

But Vance was not always in Trump’s camp

In an October 2016 interview with Charlie Rose, Vance said, “I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy. I never liked him.”

Vance in August 2016 told NPR’s Terry Gross that he couldn’t “stomach Trump” and that he thought Trump was “… noxious and is leading the white working class to a very dark place.”

In an interview in 2016, the year Trump first ran for president, he said, “I’m not a Trump supporter, but I even feel a certain attachment, and I get a little bit cheery when he says certain things on the campaign trail, when he criticizes the elites in such strong language — it’s a little refreshing, even if you disagree with the substance of the remarks.”

That same year, in a piece for the Atlantic, he wrote, “Trump is cultural heroin. He makes some feel better for a bit. But he cannot fix what ails them, and one day they’ll realize it.”

Then that view changed

“I didn’t think he was going to be a good president … and I was very, very proud to be proven wrong. It’s one of the reasons why I’m working so hard to get him elected,” he said on CNN earlier this year.

“I actually think Trump is a much better model of statesman, which is he’s tough, he’s funny, he sometimes says things unfiltered,” Vance said in an interview last month. “But when it comes to actual decision making, he’s much more careful and cautious than any person currently representing the country.”

Key Political Achievements

As a senator, Vance has been vocal about his stance on immigration reform, economic policy, and national security. He has worked on bipartisan efforts to address the opioid epidemic, drawing on his personal experiences and deep understanding of the issue. Vance has also been a staunch advocate for policies aimed at revitalizing the American industrial base, promoting job creation, and ensuring economic opportunities for all Americans .Last year, the senator introduced a bill seeking to establish English as the official national language. Vance has endorsed the use of American military forces to go after drug cartels in Mexico while opposing amnesty for immigrants illegally in the U.S. and federally funded healthcare for DACA recipients.

Announcement of Vance as VP

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,”
“As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,”
Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

Key Reactions appon choosing Vance

The announcement was met with mixed reactions. Some political analysts praised the choice, highlighting Vance’s fresh perspective and his ability to appeal to disaffected voters. Others, however, expressed concerns about Vance’s relative inexperience and some of his past controversial statements. The media and public have been closely watching how this new dynamic will play out in the campaign .

Joe Biden has said that nothing is different and He is ‘A clone of Trump on the issues’ who is ‘proudly anti-choice’ and would go hard on Abortions and also mentions in this tweet that they will rise the Taxes on middle class families.

Tucker Carlson reacted to Donald Trump selecting Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as a running mate during an RNC event hosted by the Heritage Foundation.

“Every person who pays close attention has got to be thrilled” by the pick, Tucker Carlson said. “Every bad person in Washington I’ve ever met was aligned against J.D. Vance.”, “They went after him in a way I’ve never seen,”
And in this tweet we can see that even Lindsey Graham who is considered by some as a Rhino Republican is also in favor of JD Vance even through tucker claims he rallied against him before Trump made the choice.

And a look at Indian origin Naval Ravikant tweet about ‘Why Vance’. (Naval Ravikant is an Indian American entrepreneur and investor. He is the co-founder, chairman and former CEO of AngelList.)

Naval mentions that Vance is competent, aligned and he can staff cabinet, take on bureaucracy and can be Assassination Insurance.

Political Implications

Vance’s selection is seen as an attempt to appeal to working-class voters and those disillusioned with traditional politicians. His background and personal story resonate with many Americans who feel left behind by the political establishment. Vance’s candidacy is likely to energize the base and attract voters who are looking for a change from the status quo.

Vance’s background and life story and his strong stance on deportation of all illegal migrants may appeal to Latinos in swing states like Nevada and Arizona, especially in light of recent polls showing that Latino antipathy against illegal immigration is higher than it’s been in decades.

Potential Challenges

However, Vance’s limited political experience and some of his past statements may pose challenges during the campaign. His views on certain issues, such as immigration and trade, have evolved over time, and opponents may attempt to use this against him. Additionally, his association with Silicon Valley venture capitalists could be seen as a liability in regions still struggling with the effects of deindustrialization .

While J.D. Vance has his own controversies, his close connection to billionaire Peter Thiel, who is poised to have unprecedented influence in possible new Trump administration. As Thiel is part of the so called PayPal mafia of which the famous Elon musk is also part and a recent report claiming to fund $45 million dollars every month for a Trump SuperPAC all raise red flags as to what sort of influence they could have in his administration. Theil is also one of the largest shareholders of Palantir Technologies along with the infamous Hedge funds like Blackrock, Vanguard and Renaissance Technologies.

And Palantir a data integration, analysis, automation and data mining firm, Palantir, picked up billions of dollars in contracts from Trump’s Department of Defense, and, most controversially, Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, where it profiled and surveilled migrants.

Vance and Thiel Connection

Thiel has donated heavily to Vance’s political career, giving $15 million to Vance’s successful Senate bid in the 2022 election cycle in what was then the largest donation ever given to one Senate candidate. He also joined Vance, a former “Never Trumper,” on a visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago where Vance successfully won the former president’s blessing. Thiel also connected Vance to other members of the so-called PayPal mafia, like David Sacks who donated $1 million to Vance and hosted a fundraiser for him. Sacks, along with PayPal co-founder Elon Musk, were allegedly a key factor in Trump’s selection of Vance as Vice President as they ran “a secret lobbying campaign” for Vance that also included media presenter Tucker Carlson.

And Vance himself being a part Venture Capitals raises concern over the type of polices which will be implemented, how much of a influence will the big tech hold as a person of Silicon Valley. And will Trump be able to effectively carry out the his famous Election campaign Slogan Clean the Swamp when potentially his own VP could be part of the swamp. There are concern on a recent report on Usha Chilukuri Vance Parent’s being part of RSS and being jailed during emergency, what kind of influence could they have in Trump administration.

Why Vance?

Vance’s selection appears to be a strategic move aimed at appealing to working-class voters and those disillusioned with traditional politicians. His strong stance on immigration, national security, and economic revitalization aligns with key concerns of Trump’s base. Additionally, Vance’s relatively young age compared to many of his political peers brings a fresh perspective to the ticket, potentially appealing to younger voters and those looking for a change from the status quo.

However, his limited political experience and evolving views on certain issues may present challenges during the campaign. The mixed reactions to Vance’s candidacy underscore the complexity of his political journey. While some praise his fresh perspective and ability to connect with disaffected voters, others express concerns about his relative inexperience and controversial past statements. Moreover, his close connections to Silicon Valley and billionaire Peter Thiel raise questions about potential influences and the type of policies that might emerge.

The Campaign Unfolds

As the J.D. Vance’s vice presidential candidacy starts it brings a unique dynamic to the 2024 election. His background, Young age and perspectives offer a fresh approach that could significantly influence the campaign’s direction. As the election unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Vance’s candidacy impacts voter turnout and the overall political discourse.

J.D. Vance’s selection as Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate marks a significant and intriguing development in the 2024 election landscape. Vance’s journey from a struggling working-class upbringing in Ohio to becoming a bestselling author, venture capitalist, and U.S. Senator is nothing short of remarkable. His background and personal story resonate with many Americans, especially those feeling left behind by the political establishment.

As the campaign unfolds, it will be crucial to observe how Vance navigates these challenges and leverages his background to energize the base and attract new supporters. The 2024 election promises to be a pivotal moment in American politics, and J.D. Vance’s vice presidential candidacy will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping its outcome.