Table of Contents
- The Transformation of JD Vance
- Key Policy Reversals Since Taking Office
- Why Loyalty to Trump Trumps Past Beliefs
- How Voters and Allies Are Reacting
- What This Means for the 2028 Race
- Sources
JD Vance’s Dramatic Political Reinvention
Just months after calling Donald Trump “unfit for office” during the 2016 campaign, JD Vance has emerged as one of the vice president’s most ardent defenders—championing policies he once openly opposed and reshaping his public identity to align with the Trump agenda.
Since assuming the vice presidency in January 2025, Vance has taken on a surprisingly forceful role, stepping far beyond ceremonial duties to become a key spokesperson for the administration’s most controversial moves—from commutations for allies like George Santos to aggressive deregulation pushes.
JD Vance’s Notable Policy Reversals
Vance’s shift isn’t subtle. Consider these stark contrasts:
| Issue | Past Position (Pre-2024) | Current Stance (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration | Criticized mass deportation as “inhumane” | Now defends Trump’s border wall expansion and ICE raids |
| Trade | Opposed tariffs, called them “self-defeating” | Promotes new 25% tariffs on Chinese EVs and steel |
| Climate Policy | Backed modest carbon pricing in 2022 | Now calls climate science “politicized” and supports fossil fuel subsidies |
| Executive Power | Warned against “imperial presidency” in Hillbilly Elegy era | Defends Trump’s unilateral demolition of White House East Wing |
Why Loyalty to Trump Trumps Past Beliefs
Insiders say Vance’s evolution is strategic. “He’s not just adapting—he’s auditioning,” said a former Senate aide familiar with his inner circle. With Trump signaling he may not run again in 2028, the vice presidency has become a launchpad for the next generation of MAGA leadership.
Vance has also embraced Trump’s combative style. Recently, he defended an AI-generated image shared by Trump depicting protesters being bombed with feces, saying, “The president uses symbolism to cut through media noise.”
This loyalty extends to legal controversies. Vance now supports Trump’s demand that the Justice Department reimburse him $230 million for investigation costs—a position he once would have called “unconstitutional.”
How Voters and Allies Are Reacting
In Ohio, where Vance built his political brand as a populist truth-teller, some former supporters feel betrayed. “He used to talk about working-class dignity,” said Lisa Monroe, a union nurse from Youngstown. “Now he’s just echoing whatever Trump tweets.”
Yet among national conservatives, Vance’s pivot is earning praise. “He’s matured,” said Tucker Carlson on a recent podcast. “Real leadership means standing with your president, not your old book tour talking points.”
What This Means for the 2028 Race
If Trump steps aside, Vance is widely seen as the heir apparent. His willingness to shed past positions may be a liability with independents—but it’s solidifying his base among hardcore Trump loyalists.
“JD Vance understands the new rules,” said GOP strategist Amanda Chen. “In today’s GOP, consistency is less valuable than loyalty. And he’s all in.”
Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen—but for now, the man once skeptical of Trumpism has become one of its most visible enforcers.
