JD Vance’s Populist Debut as Republican VP Nominee
Populism and Trump Support

JD Vance delivered a heavy dose of populism and promotion of Donald Trump Wednesday evening when he debuted as the Republican vice-presidential nominee and likely heir-apparent as GOP leader.

In an address at the Fiserv Forum arena on the Republican National Convention’s third night, Vance won a strong reception from delegates as he bashed Wall Street and free trade while echoing anti-establishment themes long part of Trump’s political persona.

“Tonight is a night of hope, a celebration of what America once was, and with God’s grace, what it will soon be again,” Vance said.

Trump as a Victim

Trump’s new apprentice presented the former president as a victim—a central message of the challenger’s campaign. He illustrated Trump’s perseverance through his survival from an assailant’s bullet Saturday and what he described as relentless persecution.

“Prior to running for president, he was one of the most successful businessmen in the world,” Vance said. “He had everything anyone could ever want in life. And yet, instead of choosing the easy path, he chose to endure abuse, slander, and persecution.”

He recalled images of Trump in the immediate moments after the assassination attempt in western Pennsylvania. “Look at the photo of him defiant—fist in the air,” Vance said. “When Donald J. Trump rose to his feet in that Pennsylvania field—all of America stood up with him.”

Vance’s Meteoric Rise

The speech by Vance, who was tapped by Trump on Monday to join him on the ticket, marks the culmination of his meteoric rise in the party. He was elected in 2022 to represent Ohio in the Senate, his only public office experience. With Trump able to only serve one term if elected in November, Vance, 39, isn’t just a running mate but effectively Trump’s anointed successor and leader of the next generation of MAGA conservatives.

For that reason, his nationally televised speech took on added significance, giving Republicans a glimpse of who might lead the party after Trump reshaped it in his image.

Contrast with Biden

Vance pointed to President Biden’s age and tenure in Washington—setting up a contrast to his youth. “For half-a-century, he’s been the champion of every major policy initiative to make America weaker and poorer,” he said.

Michael Tyler, the communications director for the Biden-Harris campaign, said after the speech: “JD Vance is unprepared, unqualified, and willing to do anything Donald Trump demands.”

Compelling Personal Story

Campaign officials had advised Vance to focus his speech on his compelling personal story. The officials believed his biography would resonate with many working-class voters who may find Vance more relatable than Trump. It was also seen as an opportunity for a broader audience to get to know him better.

Vance was introduced by his wife, lawyer Usha Chilukuri Vance, with whom he has three young children, two boys and a girl.

Background and Family

He was raised largely by his maternal grandparents after his mother struggled for years with addiction and his father abandoned them when he was young. His mother Beverly, who sat in the VIP box with Trump and other officials, teared up and said “that’s my boy” and “I love you, JD,” as he praised her as someone who “never gave up.”

Vance told several stories about his “Mamaw,” which he said was “the name we hillbillies gave to our grandmothers.” Vance described her as a no-nonsense, tough woman who was deeply religious, caring, and could “make a sailor blush” with her love for the “F-word.”

He shared stories from his childhood in Middletown, Ohio, a small town “where people spoke their minds, built with their hands, and loved their God, family, community, and country with their whole hearts.”

Historic References

Vance told the story of his childhood through historic references that he linked to Biden, 81, who he said “has been a politician in Washington for longer than I’ve been alive.” He recounted being in the fourth grade when Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement, “a bad trade deal that sent countless good American manufacturing jobs to Mexico.”

He said he was in high school when Biden supported the invasion of Iraq. The invasion, which began under former President George W. Bush’s administration, inspired Vance to join the Marine Corps.

“And at each step of the way, in small towns like mine in Ohio, or next door in Pennsylvania, or Michigan and other states across our country, jobs were sent overseas and our children were sent to war,” Vance said.

Economic Concerns

He tapped into anger over rising prices during Biden’s tenure as a reason to vote for him and Trump, saying “dreams were shattered” by inflation under the current administration.

Vance, once a fierce Trump critic, became a top contender as the VP search narrowed. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum were also high on the shortlist. But in the whirlwind of the past week, which included the assassination attempt on Trump and continued calls for Biden to consider leaving the Democratic ticket, the selection of Vance—who turns 40 next month—brought something many Americans have been calling for in this year’s election: youth.

Vance’s Selection

That is, in large part, why Vance was selected. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., made a direct push for Vance to his father, who was considering going with another choice until the last minute. Trump, Jr. said he told his father that Vance had many positive attributes, including his potential appeal to younger voters and the working class in key states.

The selection of Vance raises questions about the electoral advantage he brings to a campaign that is already highly energized following Saturday’s attempt on Trump’s life.

Policy Positions

Given how closely Vance aligns with Trump, he could be less effective with independents and moderate Republicans. Vance’s addition to the ticket also raised concerns among some national security officials over the future of aid for Ukraine. The Ohio senator is regarded as being even more critical than Trump of U.S. support for Ukraine.

Vance opposes abortion, even in the case of incest or rape, but says there should be exceptions for instances when the mother’s life is in danger. Like Trump, he hasn’t backed a national abortion ban.

“Giving up on the unborn is not an option,” Vance wrote on X last November. “There is something sociopathic about a political movement that tells young women (and men) that it is liberating to murder their own children.”

Immigration Views

Vance has largely echoed Trump’s views on immigration, including calls for a border wall and opposition to granting what he describes as amnesty for immigrants who come to the U.S. illegally.

Debate with Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday accepted an offer from CBS to debate later this summer, according to a Biden campaign official, while Vance hasn’t yet weighed in on dates for a debate with her.

The Trump campaign responded, saying it can’t commit to a vice-presidential debate because it doesn’t know who the Democratic nominee for vice president will be. The Democratic coalition backing Biden showed new signs of cracking Wednesday as top congressional leaders successfully pushed to delay a procedural vote on his nomination.