He stunned Europe with his ideological brutality, lectured the British Prime Minister, and on Friday, launched an attack on Volodymyr Zelensky: JD Vance, once a critic of Donald Trump, has become the most enthusiastic foot soldier of Trump's "America First" agenda.
The 40-year-old former military man and bestselling author has seen a rapid political rise, positioning himself as the voice of America's disillusioned working class. Now, he’s gaining attention as a staunch promoter of Donald Trump’s diplomatic break with traditional alliances.
Historically, with few exceptions, the U.S. vice president plays a largely ceremonial role, primarily there to replace the president in case of death.
On Friday, Vance shared the spotlight with Donald Trump. Long skeptical, if not hostile, towards support for Ukraine, the Ohio native raised his voice during the dramatic meeting between the 78-year-old Republican and the Ukrainian president in the Oval Office.
Seated next to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, silent, Vance accused Volodymyr Zelensky of "disrespecting" the United States and demanded he "say thank you."
On Thursday, he had already lectured British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of attacking freedom of speech in the UK.
Springboard
Before becoming vice president, JD Vance had already made his foreign policy views clear, stating that under the leadership of the Labour Party, the UK could be considered the "first Islamist nuclear power."
Once sworn in, positioning himself as Donald Trump's deputy "sheriff," Vance stunned Europeans at an international conference in Munich, Germany, in mid-February, aligning himself with populist parties.
“Across Europe, freedom of speech, I fear, is in retreat,” he stated.
Married to a lawyer whose parents are Indian immigrants, Vance also spoke on immigration in a manner reminiscent of Europe's far-right movements.
This argument about freedom of speech is a hallmark of Donald Trump's supporters, who see the fight against disinformation—supported by progressive parties—as a false pretext to silence conservative voices.
Even as a subordinate, the vice presidency is seen in the U.S. as a natural stepping stone to the presidency.
Donald Trump, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, was recently asked by Fox News journalist Bret Baier whether he already supported JD Vance’s potential candidacy.
"No, but he's very competent," Trump said, adding it was "too early" to make a decision.
JD Vance, with his round face, flawless hair, and neatly groomed beard, has completely turned away from his past criticisms of the Republican billionaire.
Catholic
This devout Catholic has openly criticized the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops when it condemned the Trump administration’s plan to arrest undocumented migrants, even in schools and places of worship.
This is a far cry from the JD Vance who once called Donald Trump an "idiot" and "toxic," even worrying that he could be "America's Hitler."
Vance grew up in a modest single-parent household in the Rust Belt, a region deeply affected by industrial decline, and later joined the Marines.
He then studied law at one of the country’s most prestigious universities before pursuing a career in Silicon Valley.
But it was his 2016 memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, that made him famous. In this autobiographical best-seller, adapted into a film, JD Vance recounts his chaotic childhood in a white working-class America ravaged by unemployment and addiction, giving voice to a population full of grievances.
His book caught the attention of Donald Trump Jr., the former president's eldest son, and Vance became a close friend.
With AFP
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