The David Frum Show J. D. Vance’s Bargain With the Devil
19 snips
May 28, 2025 
Joining the discussion is George Packer, a Staff writer at The Atlantic, known for his insightful coverage of American society and foreign policy. They dive into J.D. Vance’s dramatic political shift from reflective memoirist to a figure of controversy. Packer questions whether Vance genuinely believes in his new rhetoric or if he's simply catering to power demands. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of political corruption and extortion, drawing parallels between Vance’s identity and loyalty within the current political landscape.
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Unprecedented Trump Corruption Scale
- The Trump administration's corruption is historically unprecedented in scale and boldness.
- It functions more like extortion with Trump as the active architect seeking direct payments for favors.
Vance's Complex Moral Struggle
- J.D. Vance has complex interiority, unlike Trump who is instinct-driven.
- Vance struggles between knowing right and wrong but chooses power and loyalty over morality.
Vance’s Self-Justifying Turn
- Vance likely convinced himself he was doing right despite betraying earlier values.
- He rationalized that elite policies harmed his class, justifying his turn to Trumpism.
