Vance is Donald Trump’s partner in crime. That makes him a prime target for the Left.
And JD Vance was rocked by a heinous assault from this radical Leftist group.
Vice President-elect JD Vance’s rise to prominence has been shaped by his compelling personal story, long before he entered the political arena. His memoir, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, published in 2016 and later adapted into a 2020 film, gave a voice to his Appalachian roots and struggles.
This background has allowed Vance to resonate deeply with voters, particularly in the Midwest. However, recent criticism from the Left-wing magazine Current Affairs has sought to frame him and President-elect Donald Trump as emblematic of “right-wing populism” and privileged elitism.
The magazine’s critique, shared in a social media post last Sunday, claims that figures like Vance and Trump are “born to immense privilege and went to elite schools.” A graphic accompanying the post labels Vance as an “Ivy Educated Venture Capitalist” and Trump as an “Ivy Educated Real Estate Developer.”
Right-wing populism usually consists of men who were born to immense privilege and went to elite schools railing against people who are, in fact, many times less powerful and influential than they are. https://t.co/XIhmb6RjLo
— Current Affairs (@curaffairs) December 30, 2024
Notably, the article linked in the post is far from recent. Originally published on April 29, 2022, shortly after Trump endorsed Vance in Ohio’s Republican Senate primary, the piece has resurfaced as Trump and Vance prepare for their inauguration. The timing has raised questions about why Current Affairs is reviving an old argument now.
The post has generated nearly 2,000 replies, with many challenging its narrative. Critics were quick to highlight Vance’s upbringing in poverty, raised by his grandparents while his mother battled drug addiction.
His path to success included serving in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, attending Ohio State University on the GI Bill, and eventually attending Yale as well.
The Current Affairs article doubles down on its argument against what it terms “right-wing populism,” criticizing Ivy League-educated Republicans like Vance and Trump as hypocritical elites.
Its sub-headline asserts, “Yes, too many Democratic politicians are Ivy-educated lawyers. But right-wing populism is a sham led by real estate developers and venture capitalists.” The piece also references a 1958 letter from Ludwig von Mises to Ayn Rand, adding an air of intellectual pretension to its broader critique.
Vance’s memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, is mentioned in the article primarily to argue that his success was aided by his Yale professors, conveniently omitting the hardships of his early life.
The piece concludes with a dire warning about Republican policies, describing them as “terrifying and authoritarian” while accusing Right-wing populists of perpetuating inequality under the guise of serving “the people.”
Despite such attacks, Vance’s political journey speaks for itself. He secured victory in a crowded Republican primary, retained retiring Senator Rob Portman’s seat, and defeated Democrat Tim Ryan in the general election.
His performance during the October vice-presidential debate further solidified his standing, demonstrating sharp political acumen and connecting with voters on key issues.
Criticism of elitism isn’t limited to Republicans. The article also takes aim at Democrats for their wealth and Ivy League ties, though it notes a shift in tone, with some Democrats now downplaying the prestige of Ivy League education.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, for instance, mocked Vance’s Yale degree, contrasting it with his own high school’s lack of Ivy League alumni and criticizing Vance’s venture capitalist career.
The Left’s narrative against Vance is not new. When he was selected as Trump’s running mate, the Ohio Democratic Party accused him of being “an out-of-touch millionaire” exploiting the opioid crisis. Yet such accusations overlook the resilience and determination that defined Vance’s journey from poverty to the vice presidency.
As the debate around Vance’s background and political identity continues, his story remains a testament to overcoming adversity and achieving success through hard work and opportunity.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
