Eight years ago, before the 2016 US presidential election , Mr. James David Vance was one of the harsh critics of Mr. Donald Trump. In public, he called the Republican presidential candidate "stupid" and "deplorable".
However, when Mr. Trump chose Mr. Vance as his running mate on July 15, the senator became one of Mr. Trump's most enthusiastic allies, standing by him even as other senior Republicans refused to do so.
The conversion of Senator James David Vance
Mr. Vance's change of heart - from a self-described "never Trump supporter" to a staunch loyalist - makes him a relatively unusual figure in Mr. Trump's inner circle.
Democrats and even some Republicans have questioned whether Mr. Vance is motivated by opportunism rather than ideology. However, Mr. Trump and many of his advisers believe in Mr. Vance's transformation. They argue that Mr. Vance's political beliefs - combining isolationism with economic populism - are consistent with those of Mr. Trump.
Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso — whom Mr. Vance described as an advisor — said that Mr. Vance changed his opinion of former President Donald Trump because “he saw the successes that he Trump achieved as president and the benefits he brought to the country.”
In particular, Mr. Vance's vocal opposition to U.S. aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia pleased Mr. Trump's most conservative allies, even if it irked some of his Senate colleagues. .
Mr. James David Vance, 39 years old, was born into a poor family in southern Ohio. His selection as running mate could help boost Mr. Trump's campaign in the "Rust Belt" (down from New York state to Wisconsin) in a race decided by voters. tri in several battleground states, including nearby Pennsylvania and Michigan.
He harshly criticized Mr. Trump, both publicly and privately, in 2016 and during the early stages of the former president's 2017-2021 term.
Cooperation with Mr. Trump's family
Before Mr. Vance developed a relationship with the former president, he became close to Mr. Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.
Mr. Vance 's personal relationship with Mr. Trump developed largely during the Republican presidential primaries earlier this year.
Vance's decision to support Mr. Trump in January 2023, ahead of several other vice presidential candidates, was an important demonstration of loyalty.
In February 2023, Mr. Trump and Vance visited East Palestine, Ohio - where a serious train derailment occurred.
They criticized Democratic President Joe Biden's decision at the time not to visit working-class communities as a betrayal of Middle America.
In response, the White House noted at the time that federal agents were on the scene almost immediately after the train derailed and that visiting the disaster site could distract from efforts local efforts to overcome consequences. Finally, President Biden visited the village of East Palestine in Ohio about a year later, in February 2024.
With all the changes and support from Mr. Trump, Mr. Vance has become an important figure in the former president's election campaign , demonstrating a relationship of enemies and friends full of complexity and opportunity. in American politics.
