J.D. Vance, Donald J. Trump's choice for vice president, has experienced a tumultuous upbringing, with multiple name changes, an unstable father figure, and a fraught relationship with his mother. Raised by blue-dog Democrats, Vance's musical tastes shifted from classic rock to Christian rock under the influence of his born-again father.
Vance's hometown of Middletown, Ohio, has mixed reactions to his political career, with some hoping he will 'do something good' and others concerned about his lack of experience and ties to Trump's agenda. Vance's family history and the economic decline of Middletown have shaped his political views, although factors like the Biden administration's investment in the Midwest and immigrant populations complicate his rhetoric.
Vance's career was launched by attending Yale Law on a full scholarship, leading to a venture capital job, marriage, and the writing of his bestselling memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy', which catapulted him into the political spotlight. Despite his success, Vance faces criticism for his views and political transformation, and his ties to tech billionaires have helped him rise to power.
The steel town of Middletown, Ohio, remains central to Vance's life and politics, as he attributes its struggles to the fatalism, indolence, and victim mentality of the white working class, as well as decisions made by government and big business.
