JD Vance

JD Vance is an American politician, author, and former venture capitalist who became the 50th vice president of the United States in 2025.

Connect

Donald Trump: Donald Trump is an American politician and media personality who served as the 45th and 47th president of the United States. Vance became Trump’s running mate in 2024 and served as vice president in his administration.
Hillbilly Elegy: Hillbilly Elegy is JD Vance’s 2016 memoir about his family, childhood, and life in Appalachia and Ohio. The memoir introduced Vance nationally and framed his account of social change in working-class communities.
Vice President of the United States: The vice president of the United States is the second-highest executive officer and president of the Senate. Vance assumed this constitutional office in 2025.
Never Trump movement: The Never Trump movement comprises conservatives who opposed Donald Trump’s candidacies or presidency. Vance criticized Trump in 2016 before later becoming one of his prominent political allies.
Peter Thiel: Peter Thiel is an American technology entrepreneur, investor, and political donor. Thiel backed Vance’s venture-capital career and supported his 2022 Senate campaign.
Middletown, Ohio: Middletown is a city in southwestern Ohio, historically associated with steel and paper manufacturing. Vance grew up in Middletown, which figures prominently in his memoir.
United States Senate: The United States Senate is the upper chamber of Congress, with two senators representing each state. Vance represented Ohio in the Senate from 2023 until becoming vice president.
Populism: Populism is a political approach that frames politics as a struggle between ordinary people and a powerful elite. Vance’s rhetoric often presents economic and cultural conflicts in populist terms.
Amy Chua: Amy Chua is an American legal scholar and author who teaches at Yale Law School. Chua taught Vance at Yale and encouraged him to write about his upbringing.
Appalachia: Appalachia is a mountainous region of the eastern United States with a distinctive history and regional cultures. Vance’s family roots and public account of his childhood are tied to the region.