JD Vance: From "Hillbilly Elegy" to Trump's Vice President Pick

JD Vance's rise to fame with his "Hillbilly Elegy" memoir and its subsequent Netflix adaptation is credited by some with legitimizing his origin story and aiding his political aspirations, including his vice-presidential nomination by Donald Trump.

JD Vance's journey from a struggling Appalachian youth to a Republican senator and vice-presidential nominee has been shaped in part by the success of his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy." Published in 2016, the book resonated with readers across the political spectrum, offering insights into the economic and cultural challenges facing rural America and the disconnect between "Middle America" and urban elites.

Vance's personal narrative of overcoming adversity through education and resilience struck a chord with many struggling Americans, including those who would later support Donald Trump's presidential campaign. The 2020 Netflix adaptation of the memoir further popularized Vance's story, propelling it to the top 10 most-watched list after Trump announced Vance as his running mate for 2024.

JD Vance: From "Hillbilly Elegy" to Trump's Vice President Pick

Critics have suggested that Vance's book and the film adaptation, helmed by liberal Hollywood figures like director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer, may have inadvertently contributed to Vance's political rise. They argue that by legitimizing Vance's origin story and portraying him as a relatable figure, the film industry unwittingly strengthened his chances of winning a Senate seat in 2022 and becoming Trump's vice-presidential pick.

Variety's chief film critic, Peter Debruge, in particular, has argued that the film "contributed to the mythmaking" that helped Vance secure his Senate victory. He also notes that Vance has seemingly outgrown his Middle America roots and values since achieving political success.

JD Vance: From "Hillbilly Elegy" to Trump's Vice President Pick

"In the book, Vance used his personal experience (an upbringing that seemed the polar opposite of Trump’s) to explain the disconnect between Middle America and the coastal elites … to the coastal elites," writes Debruge. "Ironically, in the eight years since the book was published, Vance has joined their ranks."

Debruge acknowledges that Vance's memoir helped liberals and the mainstream media understand the motivations behind many White working-class voters who supported Trump in 2016. However, he emphasizes that these voters often prioritize their own interests over the rights of marginalized groups.

JD Vance: From "Hillbilly Elegy" to Trump's Vice President Pick

"On page after page, Vance argues that a vast segment of white working-class Americans has been feeling disenfranchised," writes Debruge. "Offensive as it may sound to some, the ‘Make America Great Again’ concept appeals to voters so preoccupied with their own day-to-day reality that they aren’t nearly as focused on the rights of others — Black Americans, immigrants, welfare cases."

Vance's evolving stance on Trump has also drawn attention. In 2016, he criticized Trump's policies and rhetoric. However, after being selected as Trump's running mate, Vance has reversed course, claiming he was misled by the media about Trump's true character.

JD Vance: From "Hillbilly Elegy" to Trump's Vice President Pick

Debruge concludes that Vance's political transformation is a calculated move to align himself with Trump, a strategy that ultimately paid off with his selection as the vice-presidential nominee.

"In 2016, the Middletown types he described in his book were free to project whatever they wanted upon Trump as a candidate, as the wheeler-dealer had no political experience, and therefore no track record to go by," writes Debruge. "Eight years later, the world knows what Trump stands for, and Vance has made a calculated choice to align himself with the ex-president — a strategy that paid off as he was picked to be the ultimate celebrity apprentice."