‘Communion’ Examines JD Vance’s Political and Intellectual Transformation

Communion explores the evolving political philosophy of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, tracing the shift in his views from the publication of Hillbilly Elegy to his rise within Republican politics.

In his 2016 memoir, Vance attributed many of the social challenges facing working-class communities including addiction, family instability, and economic hardship to personal and cultural factors. At the time, he argued that individuals and communities bore primary responsibility for addressing these issues.

Years later, as a U.S. senator and now vice president, Vance has embraced a different perspective. He increasingly points to globalisation, free trade policies, and corporate offshoring as major contributors to the decline of American manufacturing communities and economic opportunities.

The review also highlights how Vance's political evolution paralleled his changing relationship with President Donald Trump. Once a vocal critic of Trump during the 2016 election, Vance later became a strong ally, ultimately securing Trump's endorsement during his successful Senate campaign in Ohio.

Communion presents this transformation as a key chapter in understanding one of the most influential figures in contemporary American politics.