JD Vance is now a vice presidential candidate — but he might not entirely align with the former president’s policies, especially when it comes to Corporate America.
On Monday, former President Donald Trump selected the Republican senator from Ohio to serve as his running mate. While Vance was among a list of contenders for the past few months, this pick would have been a surprise in 2016 when Vance referred to Trump as “America’s Hitler” and “a total fraud.”
However, when Vance took office in January 2023, his rhetoric shifted to supporting Trump — but some of his actions as a senator split from those of his GOP colleagues. For example, he worked with Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown on railroad safety and Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren on banking regulation, displaying bipartisanship early in his tenure.
“One of the things I’ve learned here is that it’s very easy to disagree with people so long as you’re not an asshole, and still get things done,” Vance said last year.
To be sure, Vance has proven he’s capable of flipping. He went from a “Never Trump Republican” to Trump’s pick for vice president, and he supports a range of conservative issues, from increased tariffs to opposing abortion rights. He’s also broken from his party to support the Biden administration’s antitrust policy, increased corporate taxes, and more, showing how he might not be the traditional, business-friendly pick many thought Trump would go for.
That doesn’t mean the Democrats he worked with support him. Shortly after Vance was announced as Trump’s pick, Warren joined a campaign call for Biden and said that “billionaires on Wall Street and Silicon Valley are cheering, but there is no joy for working people.”
Where Vance stands on key issues
Cracking down on big banks has always been a major issue for Warren. Following the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, Vance joined her fight last year in pushing for legislation that would claw back compensation for bank executives whose banks fail.
“The executives responsible for running their banks into the ground are sitting on millions of dollars in compensation and bonuses,” Vance said at the time. “Meanwhile, the American people are bearing the financial burden for their excessive risk-taking and gross mismanagement.”
Vance has also expressed support for the antitrust policies of Lina Khan, commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission, as his GOP colleagues have criticized Khan for overstepping her authority when it comes to issues like breaking up Big Tech monopolies. He said in February that she’s “one of the few people in the Biden administration that I think is doing a pretty good job.”
When it comes to raising taxes, Vance also hasn’t ruled out that possibility. In 2021, after corporate executives discussed halting donations to fight state voting bills, Vance wrote on X: “Raise their taxes and do whatever else is necessary to fight these goons.”
Still, on other issues like trade, abortion, and education, Vance has stayed behind Trump’s policies. He supports aggressive increases in tariffs for Chinese imports, and he has opposed abortion, having previously compared it to murder. He also aligns with his party on issues like gun control, rejecting Democratic efforts for stricter gun laws.
While it’s unclear how much of an influence Vance will have on Trump’s agenda, it’s likely he will fall in line with his running mate’s policies. But his record could still concern some traditional conservatives who disagree with Vance’s partnerships with some progressive lawmakers.
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