JD Vance: From “Never Trump Guy” to Vice President

The 6^th of November made Trump’s victory clear and now all eyes are set on how Trump pulled off the incredible comeback. In a Time magazine interview, National Political Correspondent Eric Cortellessa argued that Trump won the election due to his strong focus on the economy and immigration. Meanwhile, the point to ponder is the role of Vice President JD Vance in the Trump administration. Will JD Vance prove to be a rational choice and aligned with Trumpism or deviation from his style of politics? While it is too early to predict, however, we can analyze the JD Vance profile to enhance our episteme.

Also See: Trump’s 2024 Comeback: Renewing the ‘America First’ Agenda

What Happened Earlier?

This year the United States election seemed at point a bit unpredictable and dramatic. The following examples would justify this claim. On 13^th July Trump survived an assassination attempt, with Trump’s surprising vice presidential nomination of JD Vance on 15^th July. Moreover, Biden abruptly withdrew from the presidential race just days later on July 21 following a COVID-19 diagnosis on 16^th July. All these seem unpredictable and dramatic shifts that reshaped the U.S. political landscape. This made U.S. politics a three-ring circus, with the election scene spiraling into a whirlwind of drama and unpredictability. Moreover, Trump engineered a robust political comeback by overcoming an array of criminal indictments.

Earlier, in a stunning twist, Vance suggested Biden’s resignation proved Trump’s mental fitness claims right. This illustrates JD Vance’s unwavering support for Trump. Just hours before President Joe Biden announced he was stepping aside, Trump’s new running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, said: “Not running for re-election would be a clear admission that President Trump was right all along about Biden not being mentally fit enough to serve as Commander-in-Chief. There is no middle ground.”

The question had lingered over Donald Trump’s presidential campaign for months: Who would be the Republican pick as his running mate as he pursues a second term in the White House? On Monday, July 15, his choice was revealed: JD Vance, an author, venture capitalist, and pugnacious first-term senator from Ohio. He is a well-known conservative commentator, a voice advocating for anti-globalization, economic protectionism, and populist politics, much like Trump’s style.

Will J.D. Vance’s plans help America weather the storm of Global challenges? Heaping praise on Trump, J.D. Vance officially accepted his party’s nomination to be their vice presidential candidate. The newly announced running mate took center stage with the keynote speech at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night on July 17, focusing on the day’s national security and foreign policy theme “Make America Strong Again.”

While Trump’s former running mate, Mike Pence, was seen as a moderating influence in his campaign. On the contrary, the latter selection signals an embrace of hard-right “Make America Great Again” politics and a break from the old-school Republican establishment. 

JD Vance coincides with the Trump views. Moreover, Mike Pence was more traditional, socially conservative, diplomatic, and establishment-oriented; focused on fiscal conservatism, and in the realm of foreign policy focused on engagement with allies. On the contrary JD Vance is more of a populist, combative, anti-establishment, economic nationalist, and focused on isolationism in International Relations

Who is J.D. Vance and How is it Aligned with Trumpism?

The 39-year-old former venture capitalist has less than two years in public office and little foreign policy background. His recent comments mostly align with Trump’s America First doctrine and have revealed a worldview that can be summed up as pro-Israel, anti-China, and causing anxiety in Europe. His wife Usha, 38, a corporate lawyer who used to be a registered Democrat is the daughter of Indian immigrants and a practicing Hindu.

In U.S. elections, the role of the Vice President (VP) has several important aspects:

·        Running Mate: The VP is chosen to complement the presidential candidate and help balance the ticket, often in terms of geography, experience, or policy focus.

·   Election Campaign: The VP candidate plays a key role in the election campaign. They often help generate support, participate in rallies, and engage with the media to bolster the presidential candidate’s chances.

·        Legislative Role: While not directly related to the election itself, the VP also has a role in the Senate, where they serve as President of the Senate. They can cast tie-breaking votes and influence legislative priorities.

·      Post–Election Role: If the presidential ticket wins, the VP will assume the role of Vice President, which involves supporting the President. Moreover, represent the administration domestically and internationally & step in as President if needed.

J.D. Vance once compared Trump to Hitler. Now, how do they become running mates?

Vance was not always so closely aligned with Trump. In the past, Vance described himself as a “Never Trump guy” and even called the former president “reprehensible” and “an idiot”.

But when Vance ran for his Senate seat in 2022, his tone switched: He leaned into Trump’s style of politics, repeating false claims that the 2020 election had been stolen through massive fraud. Ultimately, he won the former president’s endorsement, a widely coveted stamp of approval among Republican political hopefuls.

What’s Vance’s Take on the Ukraine War?

In terms of priorities, Vance is aligned with Trump’s insistence that Washington reduces support for Ukraine and forces Europeans to play a bigger role in the continent’s security.

What’s Vance’s Take on Israel?

While Vance has established himself as a key surrogate for America First, Israel may be the exception. Citing his Christian beliefs, Vance is a staunch supporter of Israel. Vance is skeptical of American military intervention overseas and, except for Israel, largely opposes foreign aid.

Is Vance Hawkish on China?

In his RNC speech on July 17 Wednesday, Vance pinned the blame on Biden. He made the following remarks:

“Our country was flooded with cheap Chinese goods, with cheap foreign labor. Joe Biden screwed up, and my community paid the price.”

He echoed Trump’s accusation that China is stealing manufacturing jobs from the U.S.A., especially those jobs in the Midwestern part of the country from which he hails.

Futuristic Vision: Vance’s Potential Path Forward

In conclusion, J.D. Vance’s influence as Vice President would likely deepen the administration’s “America First” policy, focusing on domestic resilience, economic independence, and a restrained and realist foreign policy. His presence could make the administration more conservative on cultural issues and more defensive in economic policy, aiming to reshape U.S. foreign relations to focus primarily on American economic and security interests.

Mishaal Malik

Mishaal Malik, presently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Relations at Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), serves as a Research Associate at South Asia Times (SAT). Mishaal demonstrates a commitment to scholarly inquiry, particularly focusing on research related to South Asia and East Asia. She can be reached on X, formerly Twitter at @MishaalMalik502.

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