From critic to comrade: Who is JD Vance, Trump’s new vice president in a historic comeback?

US Vice-President Elect, JD Vance

Once a staunch critic, J.D. Vance now stands as one of Donald Trump’s most loyal allies—and his new Vice President. On Tuesday night, Vance called Trump’s presidential victory a “historic one,” declaring it “the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America.” He promised that under Trump’s leadership, the duo would work tirelessly for the American people, setting the stage for what he called “the greatest economic comeback in American history.”

The transformation is striking. In 2016, Vance was a vocal part of the ‘Never Trump’ movement, publicly denouncing Trump as a danger to American values. He once privately wrote to a friend that Trump was either a “cynical asshole” or “America’s Hitler.” He even referred to Trump as “cultural heroin” and “just another opioid” for Middle America, urging fellow Christians to avoid supporting him, especially after the release of the infamous Access Hollywood tape.

But by 2022, Vance had pivoted, embracing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” message and aligning himself closely with the former President. He even appeared beside Trump in a New York courthouse during Trump’s hush money trial, a symbolic show of loyalty that cemented their alliance.

As a Republican Senator from Ohio, Vance has stayed close to Trump’s populist approach, advocating for policies that prioritize American values and sovereignty. He opposes foreign aid for Ukraine and criticizes what he sees as “elite” influence, drawing on both his venture capital experience in Silicon Valley and his connection to rural America through his memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

Now, with his transformation complete, Vance is prepared to serve alongside Trump for the next four years, bringing a fierce conservative agenda to the White House.