J. D. Vance - From the author of 'Hillbilly Elegy' to Trump's Vice
On the Republican Party convention that began on Monday, both Donald Trump (78) made his first public appearance since the assassination attempt against him. In Milwaukee, Trump's "Running Mate" was also chosen. In the USA, this person is called the candidate for the position of Vice President. Donald Trump chose J. D. Vance (39) as his Running Mate. An unexpected choice. As Vance was previously extremely critical of Trump and only recently entered politics.
The public first took notice of James David Vance in 2016. During the first presidential campaign of Donald Trump, he published his autobiographical book "Hillbilly Elegy". In this memoir, he told the story of his family - and thus of all Hillbillys. With this derogatory term, Americans refer to "backwoods people" from backward regions in the Appalachians or the Ozarks.
"Hillbilly-Elegie": How J. D. Vance Escaped the Cycle
Vance grew up in the Rust Belt, the old industrial heartland of the USA, which has experienced economic decline in the last few decades. His family from the Appalachians have been fighting drugs and violence for generations. Even his mother, despite good school grades, could not escape this cycle.
Only through the help of his grandmother was J. D. Vance able to break free. He first joined the military, then studied political science and philosophy. After that, he studied law at Yale, where he met his Indian wife Usha Chilukuri (38). The couple has three children together. Vance worked for various investment firms.
Oscar-nominated film with Amy Adams and Glenn Close
"Hillbilly Elegy" (original title) became an instant bestseller. J. D. Vance was considered the Trump interpreter number one. As the author of the hour, who could explain to the world why the white underclass, which had previously voted mostly Democrat, was flocking to Trump and the Republicans in droves. Even Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz read the book, according to his own statement, it moved him to tears.
In 2017, director Ron Howard (70, "A Beautiful Mind") secured the rights to the book. In 2020, his filming started on Netflix. Gabriel Basso (29, "The Big C") portrays the author in the film. For the supporting role, Ron Howard managed to attract some stars. Amy Adams (49) plays J. D. Vance's Mother, Haley Bennett (36) his sister. Glenn Close (77) received eight Oscar nominations for the role of his grandmother. Otherwise, the film received rather negative reviews and was often nominated for the Razzie Awards.
Suddenly, Vance embraced "Hitler America's" Trump
After the release of the film, J. D. Vance entered politics. He had initially avoided this to continue as an over-partisan voice of the underclass. In 2022, he ran for Senator in Ohio. In the context of his campaign, the crossover candidate changed his opinion about Donald Trump. The one he had called "Hitler America's" in 2016, he now considered a "great President".
Initially far behind in the polls, Vance gained ground in the race for the Senate seat when Trump publicly endorsed him. "J. D. kisses my ass, he wants my endorsement that badly," Trump said at a campaign rally about the man who is now his Running Mate.
- Despite his previous criticism of Trump, J. D. Vance gratefully accepted Donald Trump's endorsement during his 2022 Senate campaign in Ohio.
- The film adaptation of J. D. Vance's memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" premiered on Netflix in 2020, featuring Amy Adams in the role of Vance's mother.
- The Rust Belt, known as the old industrial heartland of the United States of America, has encountered economic decline in recent decades, as experienced by Vance's family from the Appalachians.
- Prior to his political career, J. D. Vance studied law at Yale and subsequently worked for various investment firms, thanks in part to the support he received from his grandmother.
- Receiving numerous Oscar nominations throughout her career, the renowned actress Glenn Close took on the role of Vance's grandmother in "Hillbilly Elegy," the film adaptation of Vance's bestselling memoir.
- Gaining momentum in the Senate race, Vance's change of heart towards Donald Trump was evident when he referred to him as a "great President," a stark contrast to his earlier criticisms.
