JD Vance’s rise from the author of Hillbilly Elegy to one of the most powerful figures in American politics has been swift and controversial. Now serving as US vice-president, Vance has reinvented himself as Donald Trump’s most aggressive and loyal defender — while quietly positioning himself as a leading contender for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination.
At 41, Vance presents a carefully crafted image: a working-class upbringing, deep cultural grievances, and an uncompromising “law and order” message. On the campaign trail, he leans heavily on personal stories about poverty, family, and faith to connect with voters, even as critics accuse him of exploiting those narratives for political gain. Once a vocal critic of Trump, Vance has since reversed course completely, embracing Trumpism with fervor and discarding many of his earlier positions on foreign policy, free speech, and government transparency.
Behind the populist rhetoric lies another key pillar of Vance’s power: Silicon Valley. Backed by billionaire tech figures such as Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and David Sacks, Vance has emerged as the bridge between MAGA politics and the tech right. As vice-president, he has championed pro-growth AI policies, opposed heavy regulation, and reassured tech elites that they have a central role in shaping America’s future under Republican rule.
Polls already place Vance far ahead of other potential 2028 Republican candidates, and his role as Republican National Committee finance chair gives him unmatched access to donors and party machinery. Still, his biggest obstacle remains Trump himself — a political force unwilling to surrender the spotlight or anoint a clear successor.
Whether JD Vance becomes Trump’s heir or merely his most effective enforcer, one thing is clear: his ambition, alliances, and ideological flexibility have made him one of the defining figures of the post-Trump Republican era.