Who is JD Vance, the senator chosen by Donald Trump to become vice president of the United States?

Donald Trump has chosen JD Vance as his running mate for the US Vice Presidency. The young senator from Ohio, who was once a critic of the former Republican president, made it clear that he now supports his agenda.

Vance, renowned venture capitalist and best-selling author Hillbilly Elegybecame a senator in 2022 with the endorsement of Donald Trump during a contentious Republican primary.

Born in Middletown, Ohio, the 39-year-old politician is a military veteran.

In 2016, Vance was a leading figure in the “Never Trump” movement, which openly criticized the then-Republican candidate.

However, he has won the favor of the right wing of the Republican Party, including Donald Trump Jr., who has publicly praised him, CNN notes.

As a senator, he has shown strong support for the Republican candidate, aligning his votes with the interests of the former president. He opposed a bill to aid Ukraine, following Trump’s criticism of foreign aid.

JD Vance also brings Silicon Valley connections, despite his liberal leanings. He recently hosted a fundraiser for the mogul in San Francisco with the participation of investors such as David Sacks and Chamath Palihapitiya.

Although he had a history of criticizing Trump on social media in 2016 and 2017, Vance deleted those comments before announcing his Senate bid in 2021. Once a harsh critic, even considering voting for Hillary Clinton, he has now become a proponent of the MAGA platform.

“It is time for the entire MAGA movement, the largest in the history of our country, to unite behind the campaign of JD Vance because, unlike so many other contenders and aspirants, he will put America first,” Trump said in a statement.

He added: “In other words, JD Vance has my complete and total endorsement. He will not let you down. Make America Great Again!”

During Ohio’s 2022 Republican primary, the senator secured Trump’s endorsement after a year-long effort to align himself with the former president’s vision, CNN reports. In a gesture of loyalty, he accompanied the former president in a New York courtroom during his criminal trial.

JD Vance differs from former Vice President Mike Pence on the interpretation of the constitutional limits on the vice president’s role in certifying election results.

In interviews, he has pledged to accept the results of the 2024 election if he deems it free and fair, and stressed the need to properly address any electoral issues.

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