JD Vance's Evolution: A Cautionary Tale for Politicians and Voters The Atlantic's republishing of JD Vance's 2016 essay dismissing Donald Trump as "cultural heroin" serves as a timely reminder that politicians are not immune to changing their tune.
The evolution of Vance himself, from outspoken critic to ardent defender, is particularly striking.
At the time of his 2016 essay, Vance was a rising star in conservative circles, having just published Hillbilly Elegy to critical acclaim.