upper waypoint

How J.D. Vance Went from Never Trumper to MAGA Warrior

Save ArticleSave Article
Failed to save article

Please try again

Former President Donald Trump, right, stands with Sen. JD Vance, his Republican running mate, at a rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., on July 20, 2024.  (Tom Brenner/Reuters via CalMatters)

Ever since Donald Trump picked Ohio Senator J.D. Vance to be his running mate two weeks ago, more than a few Republicans have wondered aloud if it was a mistake.

Vance’s memoir Hillbilly Elegy describes growing up in poverty in a dysfunctional family ripped apart by opioid addiction. Since then he’s gone from Appalachia to Yale Law School to a San Francisco venture capital firm to the U.S. Senate and Republican ticket.

Politico’s Ian Ward had many conversations with Vance before he became Trump’s running mate and he talks with Scott and Marisa about how Vance transformed from Never Trumper to MAGA warrior.

Sponsored

lower waypoint
next waypoint