In recently revealed direct messages from February 2020, J.D. Vance, Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick, candidly admitted that he viewed Trump’s presidency as a failure in delivering on economic populism. This admission complicates Vance’s current public role, where he is tasked with defending Trump’s record and dismissing past criticisms.
Vance’s comments, obtained by The Washington Post, highlighted his belief that Trump had “thoroughly failed to deliver on his economic populism,” with the exception of some trade policies regarding China. This stark contrast between his private reflections and public statements as Trump’s running mate raises questions about his authenticity and loyalty to the populist cause he once championed.
In an attempt to downplay Vance’s earlier criticisms, a spokesperson claimed he was merely pointing fingers at “establishment Republicans” for thwarting Trump’s populist agenda. However, this narrative falls flat against Vance’s own statements, where he expressed doubt that Trump’s wealthiest donors would abandon him, acknowledging that Trump had continued to serve their interests during his presidency.
One of Trump’s most significant initiatives, the multitrillion-dollar tax cut for the wealthy, exemplifies this contradiction. While Vance recognized that Trump benefited the GOP donor class, he now finds himself spinning these policies as populist wins.
Additionally, Vance’s previous condemnation of Trump’s push to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) further illustrates this inconsistency. He had criticized the proposed cuts to Medicaid as a betrayal of working-class Trump supporters. Yet, Vance now supports a Trump agenda that includes potential severe cuts to programs that aid vulnerable populations.
As Trump seeks to make his tax cuts permanent and further reduce corporate taxes, Vance continues to present Trump’s agenda as a populist platform. During his convention speech, he characterized Trump as a leader free from corporate influences, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
With Trump’s renewed promise to repeal the ACA and Vance’s involvement in shaping the narrative around it, the risk of jeopardizing coverage for those with preexisting conditions looms large. Vance’s previous criticisms appear to have been set aside as he now advocates for policies that contradict the populist principles he once espoused.
When Vance declared in 2020 that Trump had failed to deliver on his economic populism, it was a direct critique of the administration. Now, as one of Trump’s chief defenders, Vance’s role has evolved into one that attempts to reshape this history, even as it threatens to further alienate the working-class voters he aims to attract.